NAMING WHAT WE CARRY, Witnessing as presence rather than fixing
We move through the day carrying things unseen, unspoken, sometimes unnamed. Memories that settle in the corners of the body, half-forgotten yet always present. The weight of what we have endured presses against the ribs, in the hollow of the throat, in the tremor of a hand we barely notice. To name it is not to fix it. To name it is to recognize it, to give it the dignity of acknowledgment, to allow it to exist without explanation or apology.
In this space, witnessing becomes its own act of care. To be present is to sit beside the unspoken, to lean into the silence that so often contains more than words ever could. One might speak, or one might simply be, the voice suspended in the pause, the understanding that no one else is required to heal it, to interpret it, to render it right. And yet, by being seen even without speaking we participate in a quiet alchemy. The load shifts, subtly, imperceptibly, and perhaps, just perhaps, light reaches the places we thought darkness had claimed.
It is not solution, it is not performance. It is presence, relentless and tender, and in that presence the world, so often heavy, so often lonely, feels for a moment, tenuously, that it can hold us back.
HOW IT WORKS
This one-hour Zoom gathering invites participants to explore what it means to be seen without explanation. The space is designed for presence, reflection, and gentle witnessing. Participation is entirely voluntary. No one is ever required to speak, and quiet reflection is always honored.
Format (modeled on structured support groups):
Opening Guidelines (5–10 minutes): The facilitator reads the group agreements and explains how the session operates, setting a safe and supportive tone.
Timed Sharing (35–40 minutes): Attendees may raise their hand to speak. Each speaker has about four minutes, after which the next person is invited to share. When no one is speaking, the room rests in silent reflection.
Optional Prep: For those who wish, a short essay or poem on testimony or the journal prompt “What have I carried quietly?” can be considered ahead of time.
Closing Reflection (5–10 minutes): The group comes together to integrate insights, grounding the experience and leaving participants feeling heard, lighter, and more present.
Why Join:
Engage in a safe, structured space for personal reflection
Practice witnessing and being witnessed without pressure
Connect with others in shared contemplation and quiet presence
Nonprofit Partner Organization
RedBike Outreach is an entirely volunteer-driven organization that delivers meals, supplies, and care directly to people experiencing homelessness in St. Louis. Each week, volunteers meet immediate needs with compassion and respect, creating moments of connection and affirming the dignity of every person they encounter.