Workplace Spirituality:
Being Supportive

Susan Kramer

Being supportive gives a listening ear, and calmly gives feedback in the form of restating the issues behind what is perhaps being emotionally expressed.

We are called on to be supportive at home and at work, with friends and family. At work, the supervisor shows support by listening with a compassionate ear to our work-related needs, and revising our work schedule for the good of both the worker and the company in a win-win situation if needed.

To be supportive to ourselves, relax a bit; remember that issues are always resolved one way or another.

When we are in a crisis we are feeling heightened emotional energy so much in our body, that we may not clearly be aware of what the issues are that need to be resolved.

Taking time to de-stress by practicing some regulated breathing and walking around, evens out the emotional impact on our body, allowing the core problems to come up to our thinking mind.

Regulated breathing: counts 1, 2, breathe in; counts 3, 4, breathe out; counts 1, 2, breathe in and continue this pattern to relax and find composure again.

With our family, the same techniques that we use in our interactions at work hold true: lending a listening ear; separating out the core issues from the emotional expressions; offering possible solutions from our own experience, but not demanding that our way be followed; praying that the highest resolve come to mind; praying that our loved-one has the courage to do what is right for them.

Being supportive at work and with family and friends is a major part of our life experience. It is in being supportive that we stretch our own capacity to give caring love, and to receive other's caring when we need it.

Workplace Spirituality:
Being Supportive  © 2004 Susan Kramer
web site http://www.susankramer.com
email susan@susankramer.com
Crown of snow on English boxwood, The Netherlands.
Photo credit Susan Kramer

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