Empowerment: It’s an Inside Job, Part 3
This is post #3 in the series about how you can support someone in finding their power, since it isn’t something you can give to another person. First was to see them as someone who is empowered. Second was to be an example- live in your own power so that others will see the way through you. And now, third, is to hold space for the person, as witnessed in the life of spiritual leader Mary Morrissey.
Mary became pregnant at age seventeen. She got married, gave birth to her son, completed high school, and then two months later was diagnosed with kidney disease. Doctors told her that her right kidney was diseased and had to be removed right away; that would give her about six months to live before the left kidney would give out. The night before surgery, the hospital chaplain visited her and talked with her about the power of our mind and what we believe. The chaplain asked if Mary could believe that in the morning the doctors would come in, look at her, and realize that she does not need surgery after all. Her kidneys are recovered.
Mary said no, she couldn’t believe that. The chaplain didn’t give up.
She asked if Mary could visualize that all the disease from her body could be put into her right kidney which would be removed in the morning, leaving the left kidney healthy. Mary said she honestly did not believe that, but she could see that the chaplain did believe. So based on that she answered, “Maybe.”
“That’s good enough,” said the chaplain. She prayed with Mary, leading her through visualizing that happening and visualizing her raising her son, taking him to school, watching him graduate and marry and enjoying a full life. Mary borrowed the chaplain’s faith. And what they visualized together is what happened. Mary’s right kidney was removed and her left one healed.
Mary’s still alive today almost fifty years later, helping to hold place for others to believe—people like me. In 2019, I participated in her three-day DreamBuilder Live event in Los Angeles. It set me on the course I’m on today. I left there with hope, with a blueprint for my life, and with renewed power. I found the power within. . . all because that hospital chaplain held space for Mary those many years ago.