Recently when I was facilitating a “Mindful Parent & Caregiver” group, I stated that everyone has the capacity to find wholeness. A woman in the group who was paralyzed from the neck down asked, “what does that mean…how can someone like me ever have wholeness”? The question struck me in such a profound way. I went on to say that wholeness is not about being perfect or a certain way nor does wholeness mean the same thing to all people.
Each person will have their own place of wholeness – a state where they feel most balanced and at ease and right. Wholeness will look really different to someone with a life-threatening illness than a thriving young person. In this way, wholeness has to do with acceptance, grace, and faith. For this brave woman in a wheelchair, finding wholeness may be about finding the most complete and whole state within the paradigm of limitations she has been given. If she continues to seek the wholeness of someone with full mobility, she will forever be disappointed. But as she accepts her limitations and moves gracefully to seek the vast potential she possesses, she will move towards wholeness. And indeed, after witnessing this brave woman participate in our group by simply moving her eyes or having her caregiver move her arms as the rest of group did big movements, I saw her strive towards her own unique sense of wholeness. What an inspiration and a testament that we all have the capacity to find this – even if for a moment. Soak in that moment for as long as you can and be present to your wholeness!
