Those who spend their days caring for, supporting, and helping others need care and support, too.
It is so important to have moments when we can find peace within ourselves, feel supported, feel connected, and simply feel loved. Sometimes those who give so much to others also need a space where they can receive. That is why community matters. That is why supporting those who support others matters.
“VELA is love.”
These words from Viktoriia, one of our Ukrainian participants, stayed with me after our recent VELA Well-being meeting.
At the end of our time together, participants reflected on what these meetings have meant to them.
Viktoriia thanked us for reminding her that “we are not alone.”
Anna shared how, lesson by lesson and step by step, she is learning to observe herself, notice herself, and understand herself more deeply. Through our recent zine activities, she returned to memories of childhood and remembered moments of happiness.
And then Dr. Joe Mageary offered a beautiful image of what we have created together: a space that holds our shared resilience and shared love.
He invited everyone to imagine being hugged, then giving a hug to someone they love, and finally allowing themselves to receive that love back.
“Together, we prove that we are not alone.”
Perhaps this is what VELA has become.
Not only meetings.
Not only trainings.
Not only learning.
A community.
A place to be seen.
A place to give and receive support.
A place to remember that even across countries, languages, and very different life circumstances, we can hold hope and resilience together.
And perhaps Viktoriia said it best:
“VELA is love.” ❤️
At VELA Well-being, we continue our mission of supporting those who support others.
Peace to you.
Peace to your families.
Peace to Ukraine. 🇺🇦
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