Rescuing vs Holding Space

       Learning the difference between rescuing someone and holding space for that person is an important life lesson for many of us, myself included.
       When I first heard my Reiki Master use the term "hold the space", I was confused.  I have a better handle on this now, especially with the practice of asking "What Would Love Do?" (Karen Paolino).
       No one can rescue another.  We can help one another when it comes from the place of love, which includes loving yourself.  Rescuing is fear for another and fear for what the outcome means for each person, especially the rescuer.  It's also a lack of trust in yourself manifesting in a need to appear benevolent.  It is an attempt to control the other person and the outcome.  Rescuing implies that we know better, know what's best for another person.  This does not work for either one involved.
       With love for your self and the other, hold the space, i.e. offer a presence and ask for the guidance to do and say (and not do or say) what is in the highest and best interest for both of you.
       We all have our individual paths.  Because we do not live in a vacuum, this lesson is complex.  We have spouses and children whose actions impact on us.  Sometimes their behaviors make life more difficult and we want to change that to control what happens.  Sometimes the harder we rescue and control, the more out-of-control things become.  It is always our own individual journey with the choice of thinking and acting from love or from fear.  It takes practice.