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ZenArashi
18 699,851 M Meaningful Journey 13
No one can be 100% everyday and it’s okay.
PathStep 251 Compassion hearts82,641 Forum posts63 Forum upvotes182 Current upvotes182 Age GroupAdult Last activeDecember, 2024 Member sinceMarch 15, 2020
Bio

I am Zen 👋🏼 

My username means Calm Storm in Japanese.

💜💙




Recent forum posts
My Listening Journey
General Support / by ZenArashi
Last post
 1 hour ago
...See more Before I joined 7Cups, most of the time I’ll be half-listening in conversations while my mind raced to form my next response or wandered off to my own thoughts. Sometimes, I wasn’t really there at all. It took time for me to understand that listening isn’t just about waiting for my turn to speak. It’s about truly hearing what someone else is saying. It’s about connecting on a deeper level, beyond surface-level exchanges. When I learned to truly listen, I discovered how much empathy and genuine connection it can bring to a relationship. This wasn’t easy at first. Being observant and emotionally aware took practice and patience, but it also changed how I see myself. Now, I strive to be someone who listens with my heart. I sincerely think you don’t necessarily have to be a Listener to listen well. As a member, you can provide support by fully absorbing what someone else is sharing and making them feel seen, valued, and understood. 
My Reflection on My Mental Health Journey
General Support / by ZenArashi
Last post
 3 days ago
...See more In our darkest moments, we don’t need answers or advice - we long for a connection. A quiet presence or a gentle gesture can be the anchor that steadies us when life feels overwhelming. Please don’t try to fix me or take on my pain. Don’t push away my struggles. Just sit with me as I navigate my own storms. Be the steady hand I can hold as I find my way forward. My pain is mine to carry, my battles mine to face. But your presence reminds me that I’m not alone in this vast and sometimes frightening world. It’s a quiet reassurance that I am still worthy of love, even when I feel broken. So, in those dark hours when I feel lost, will you simply be here? Not to rescue me, but to walk beside me. Hold my hand until the dawn breaks, helping me remember my strength. Your silent support is a priceless gift. It’s a love that gently reminds me of who I am, even when I’ve forgotten.
THE FISH AND THE MONKEY: MY REFLECTION ON EMPATHY
General Support / by ZenArashi
Last post
 Friday
...See more Hola everyone! 👋🏼 There’s a story that may resonate with many of us, especially those of us who have experienced moments where our good intentions didn’t quite land the way we expected. The story goes like this: A monkey lived in a tree by a river. One day, the monkey saw a fish swimming in the river and, thinking the fish was struggling, decided to help. Feeling empathy, the monkey quickly climbed down, scooped the fish out of the water, and placed it on a tree branch. However, as the fish flopped around, it soon died. The monkey was left confused and saddened, having only intended to do good. At first glance, the story might seem simple, but it carries an important message, especially for those of us navigating our own struggles with mental health and supporting others in theirs. The monkey’s mistake wasn’t out of malice; it came from a lack of understanding. The monkey, being a land-dweller, interpreted the fish’s swimming as a sign of distress, but in truth, the fish was in its natural state. The water was where the fish thrived—taking it out of that environment only caused harm. This story reminds us of something we may already know in our hearts: we can’t always assume that what works for us will work for others, especially when we don’t fully understand their experiences. In the context of mental health, this lesson can be particularly poignant. We might see someone struggling and want to offer solutions, but without truly understanding their perspective, we risk unintentionally making things harder. What feels like a well-meaning "helping hand" may, at times, exacerbate the situation for someone else. For those of us who care for others—whether it’s through friendships, family relationships, or even in a more professional context—it’s essential to recognize that each person's journey is different. What one person needs might not be what another person needs, and that's okay. The key is to listen deeply and approach others with the understanding that their experience is unique. For those of us who have been on the receiving end of misunderstanding, this story might also serve as a gentle reminder that sometimes the people around us, even with the best intentions, might not fully understand our needs. This doesn’t diminish their care or love, but it can help us communicate our needs more clearly and compassionately. In the end, we all have different ways of coping, healing, and thriving. And just as the monkey needed to recognize the fish's environment, we need to respect and understand the environments, struggles, and strengths of others in our mental health journeys.
A Harbor of Compassion
Poetry / by ZenArashi
Last post
 February 18th
...See more In the quiet harbor of empathy’s embrace, Where waves of understanding gently trace, We find solace for hearts that ache and sway, A sanctuary where shadows begin to fray. Support, a sturdy lighthouse on the shore, Guiding lost souls through tempests they endure. Its beacon whispers, “You’re not alone,” As starlight weaves a safety net, our own. Care, a tender breeze that cradles wounds, Soft as petals kissed by morning dew. It tends to fragile blooms within our minds, Nurturing resilience, where hope unwinds. When storms of doubt rage fierce and wild, And darkness threatens to engulf the child, Let kindness be the lifeboat we extend, Rowing toward healing, as companions blend. For mental health, a garden we must tend, Planting seeds of patience, love, and mend. Together, we cultivate resilience anew, Blossoming courage in shades of azure and true. So, let us hold each other’s trembling hands, Forge connections stronger than shifting sands. In this harbor of compassion, we’ll find our way, Anchored by care, as brighter skies display.
AN ODE TO SHARING CIRCLE
Group Support / by ZenArashi
Last post
 February 20th, 2023
...See more AN ODE TO SHARING CIRCLE Gathered in a circle, we come together To share our stories, through all kinds of weather We listen with care, to each other's pain And offer support, with nothing to gain. It's a safe space, where we can all be heard With no judgment, criticism or a single word We take turns to share, what's on our minds And the others listen, with hearts that are kind. Some speak of problems, they're facing alone Others share aspirations, they hope to own We offer empathy, and show that we care And in this sharing circle, we all become aware. Aware of the struggles, that others may face Aware of the strength, they have to embrace We offer our support, through thick and thin And in this circle of sharing, we all win. For in sharing our stories, we find relief And in listening to others, we find belief That we're not alone, in this journey of life And in this sharing circle, we find light. So let us gather, in this sacred space And share our hearts, with grace and with grace For in sharing and listening, we find our way And in this circle of sharing, we all have a say.
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