I was struck today by just how fragile one's sense of self can be. A careless comment from an unaware colleague and suddenly someone is reduced to helpless tears and a resurgence of long ago self hatred. I find that I too am teary and sad tonight, as I was unable to stop this hurt from happening on my watch. I need to learn how, as a teacher and choreographer--a leader really, to be empathetic without being triggered myself. (side note: the therapy speak of my writing is really another worrisome topic to be addressed in a different post!) I find it really hard. I just have to say, ignore the tears and listen to my words. The tears are mine and real, but are from a different time. My words are in the here and now and I am fully present to you. Hard though. It's hard to see the hurt that you know so well and so deeply in someone else's eyes, yet have no way to take it away.