My first job out of college (fresh out of the board exam) was working as a nurse on the adolescent unit of a local psychiatric hospital.

One morning I arrived as usual, not realizing that something profound would happen that would be just the beginning of a long journey into the heart.

It was medication time so I began doing my rounds. I walked into one of the rooms and saw a teenage girl sitting on a bed still made from the day before, just staring as if her body was there but her soul had fled. She was in a “catatonic” state, to use the technical term.

It was my job to do the best I could to get an antipsychotic into her system so she would come out of it and move on. As a new nurse, I did what I was expected to do. I gave her the medication and moved on to the next patient.

As I was leaving her room, I looked back once again; this wounded spirit had no idea how beautiful she was, how loved and precious and absolutely divine she was.

Something horrific had occurred in her life. She witnessed the brutal murder of someone very close to her—it was too much for her gentle spirit to bear. She left, in search of some place safe, a place where she could be embraced with peace.

To her, that place didn’t exist in this world; she needed to find it elsewhere. So that is what she did.

We continued to give her antipsychotics, leaving her alone in her room as the days went on. My heart was in a struggle; I knew there was another way. I went along as everyone else did, and eventually she came back to this world. Still wounded; still very fragile—i don’t know what happened to her after that.

I have since been witness to the lives of so many other beautiful souls who never knew how loved they really were. Their pain was so deep that it overtook any sense of light or peace that was there.

If I could go back to that day all those years ago, I would sit beside that beautiful girl, take her in my arms, sing to her as I held her, tell her how loved and supported she is, tell her that she is safe and protected, and that her very existence is a divine blessing in this world. I would hold her until she felt safe enough to return.

I would simply love her, because what I know now is that love is the true healing force.

I am so grateful for the experiences that showed me that no matter what treatment we use, no matter what method of healing we are offering, the most important thing we can ever give to someone is love. Love is what goes to the very cells of our bodies, nurturing them with light and a force so powerful that they begin to shift into their natural state of well-being.

Love is what soothes the wounded heart and gives us strength and hope as we move on in this world.

Love is our natural state and the true force of healing.

If you know someone who is hurting today, in any way, envision him or her surrounded by beautiful, luminous, nurturing light.

Send them thoughts of joy, wholeness, radiance, and peace. If you can, just embrace them and let them know that he orshe is loved and supported.

You will be giving the greatest gift there is.

A soulful visionary and healing practitioner for the last 20 years, Alia Indrawan guides women (and a few brave men) through the rough waters of a rapidly changing world. As an inspirational writer, speaker, and retreat facilitator, Alia offers transformative heal ing and guidance for highly sensitive people and creative souls worldwide. She invites you to visit her website.

 

 

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Assistant Ed: Judith Andersson/Ed: Bryonie Wise