When Winnie The Pooh Was Scared

10/27/2023

Based on the excerpt from "Winnie the Pooh" by A.A. Milne, below is my reflection:

The dialogue between Pooh and Piglet offers many lessons to me. When someone is anxious, worried and fearful like Pooh, it does not need advice but the authentic and solid nonjudgmental presence and whole hearted support. The wise words of Piglet are worth paying attention to. "I will be always be here to listen and support you and for you to know that you are heard. I can't make these anxious feelings go away, not really, but I can promise you that all the time I have breath left in my body, you won't ever need to feel those anxious feelings alone."
There have been times when I felt worried, fearful, and anxious like Pooh. Advice that I should not be anxious, worried and fearful did not help me. But when someone heard me empathetically, patiently, and lovingly I felt deeply supported and relieved from anxiety, helplessness and hopelessness. I learned the value and power of authentic presence and support. Experiential learnings is a great tool for deep change and transformation.
Namaste!

3 Comments

Debbie Podwika

10/28/2023 02:18:53 pm

Well. I loved this one. I have always loved Winnie the Pooh, though Tigger was always my favorite, go figure. HA! I did not know of this passage, but I love it. I totally agree with the message. I too feel so much better when someone just listens or even relates to me and says I also have felt like you. I also love another passage from Pooh..."Don't Underestimate the value of Doing Nothing, of just going along, listening to all the things you can't hear, and not bothering.

Elaine Noonan

10/28/2023 03:11:20 pm

The story of Winnie the Pooh is often looked upon as a child’s story, and this article brought out a very important quality needed in our society; being a good listener. Piglet sure gave Winnie the Pooh the respect and validation for his thoughts and feelings while being fully present as a friend.

María

10/28/2023 08:12:29 pm

Thank you for sharing this article. I am reading it at the perfect time. A close relative is in the hospital now facing the possibility of having Leukemia. It will not help her to hear me say, “don’t worry, it will be ok.” Because I don’t know and I can say instead, “I am here for you and you aren’t alone.”
Why is it that when the patient wants to cry over there predicament, family members tell them to cut it out? Why can’t they be vulnerable in front of their loved ones? I have seen it so many times.
My mother had a similar belief of keeping it to herself. She never shared any of her worries or pains with me. Her intentions were good. She didn’t want to put stress on her family. So she carried it alone. How sad it makes me thinking of this now.
We are not meant to carry our sorrows alone. We don’t allow people to give us gifts when we need help. We rob others of the joy of giving of themselves because we think it isn’t wise to bother others with our troubles. But it’s the complete opposite. We are here for each other. During the good and bad times, we can grow together. Resilience comes from struggle. What happens to one happens to all of us. May this family member overcome this diagnosis and may our experience of living through this grant us the spiritual gifts of patience, gratitude, and acceptance.

Mindfulness

When Winnie The Pooh Was Scared

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