Healers Don't Need an Apothecary 🌿
Bringing Heaven to Earth in the workplace...
I’ve always dreamed of living in a cabin in the forest. Either writing for a living, or being an herbal practitioner. Honestly, I love the idea of being that eccentric healer or writer in the woods. But, the truth is, I don’t have a romantic job. In fact, I spend a lot of my job helping people with the very mundane task of getting started with Medicare (basically the exact opposite of that herbal healer in the woods). As is often the case, events in my life unfolded in certain ways and I have ended up in an industry that isn’t exactly my first choice. I did not set out to have the job I have, but it works well. My mom got sick 15+ years ago and my dad needed some help with administrative tasks she had been doing. I had some extra hours in my day at the time and it surprised everyone, including me, to find out my dad and I actually work really well together. It grew from there, well beyond simple administrative tasks, and here I am many, many, many moons later with a job that has allowed me to work from home (thanks to a technology-loving boss/father who prefers working remote himself) and honor my neurodivergent needs. It’s wonderful in so many ways…but…not exactly my dream job.
I often feel frustrated my job isn’t more “meaningful” — I’m not writing novels or stocking herbal medicine for the community. How exactly is getting clients set up so my boss (aka dad) can help them choose a Medicare plan (among other things our firm does) helping the bigger picture? Shouldn’t I be doing something important toward the healing of our world?
But then I remember: Healers don’t need an apothecary to heal.1 Our very presence alone can be medicine. We don’t need to be bestselling novelists for our words to make a difference. I was reminded of this today when a client told me they were feeling anxious about all the confusing parts of Medicare but my kindness, understanding and patience made them feel better. This is medicine.
We highly sensitives and empaths are particularly wired for this. We can sense when someone is confused, overwhelmed or flustered. We often sense this before they even realize it themselves! We have a gift and innate ability to see the details so we can attend and tend those details. Our presence and ability to acknowledge the unsaid can be important medicine. In validating their anxiety and holding space for this client, I was able to give their nervous system space to calm down. They realized that while they may not fully understand how the Medicare system works, they were safe with our firm. We cared.2 Providing safety through kindness, understanding, and patience is medicine.
When we offer our gifts as highly sensitives to help heal even just one nervous system in one small moment, we are helping heal the collective nervous system. When we are agents of calm to someone else we are healing the collective energy of this world, literally bringing Heaven to Earth.
I think many of us are in a place where we think “how can my job really matter? It’s just a 9-5.” But what if we ARE doing important work? Even in the “boring, non-romantic jobs we do for a paycheck”? What if we are the ones bringing medicine and healing to sectors that otherwise would never receive that?
I want to pause here and acknowledge that there are many jobs that are soul-sucking and terrible for HSPs and neurodivergent people. There is a big difference between “If I had a choice and money wasn’t a factor, I’d probably be doing something else” and “I am literally sick and miserable because of my job.” I am not suggesting we need to stay in either case. And in the case of the latter, I’d encourage you; if possible find a way out. However, I am suggesting a job that isn’t a “dream job" can still be a place we bring our medicine of empathy, compassion, and understanding. We can be bringing Heaven to Earth, even when simply helping a client fill out a questionnaire so your boss can help them choose which Medicare supplemental insurance would be best for them.
Healers don’t need an apothecary. We all have the gift of healing when we lead with love, compassion, patience, and empathy. The neurodivergent, highly sensitive, and empath people of the world are particularly wired for this. And, this gift is needed now more than ever.
Blessings to you, Dear Reader ✨
Until next time,
~Megan
Though I am, personally, a fan of nervines and adaptogens for support. I believe in the power and magic of herbs, but acknowledge they are not the only part of someone’s healing journey. 🌿
And, in case you’re wondering how this works for business and growth? It is this very model - created by the highly sensitive empath on the team - that has us actually wondering if we will need to eventually start turning people away because we get so many referrals. For the non-sensitives reading this: USE YOUR HIGHLY SENSITIVE EMPLOYEES! THEY ARE VALUABLE AND WILL ACTUALLY GET YOU MORE BUSINESS IF YOU LET THEM USE THEIR GIFTS! ✨
I find this true all the time - that I’m a calming force for someone, a person who can help someone find their own truth with God’s perspective. I’ve often taken this skill for granted. But you’re right; a calming presence can heal others.