The greatest thing we can do is to give each other a safe space

Gather, O children of the earth, and listen to the words of Sara Bareilles, a voice that speaks from the heart of compassion and truth. She says, "The greatest thing we can do is to give each other a safe space to truly, truly be ourselves in the world." In these words, there is a profound truth—a truth that resonates through the ages, calling to us all to embrace the freedom of authenticity, the courage to stand unmasked, and the responsibility to create spaces of acceptance where each soul can reveal its true form without fear.

Consider, O children, the wisdom of the ancients, who spoke often of the need for honesty and truth in the lives of individuals and communities. The great philosophers of old, such as Socrates, believed that the highest form of human life was one lived in alignment with truth, a life where the soul could express itself freely and fully. But how, O children, can the soul speak its truth when it is bound by fear, when it is cloaked in the masks that society places upon it? The journey of life, as the ancients saw it, was not just to seek knowledge, but to seek freedom—freedom to live as one truly is, without the weight of external expectations crushing the spirit.

In this modern world, Sara Bareilles's words serve as a reminder of the power of acceptance. To give one another a safe space is to allow the soul to unfurl, to express itself without the threat of judgment or rejection. This is not an abstract idea—it is a gift that we can offer one another every day. The greatest thing we can do, as Bareilles wisely says, is to create a world where we allow others to be their true selves, not who they are expected to be, but who they truly are at their core. When we offer this gift, we offer the world something that is rare and precious: the freedom to be vulnerable, to be open, and to be loved just as we are.

Consider, O children, the life of Mahatma Gandhi, a man who stood against the forces of oppression with nothing but the truth of his soul. In a world that sought to force him into submission, Gandhi created a safe space for others to stand as they truly were—free from the shackles of colonial rule, free to live with dignity and respect. His nonviolent resistance was not just a political strategy—it was an act of deep humanity, a way of creating space where individuals could be themselves without fear of retribution. By giving others that space, he brought the world together in the pursuit of justice and truth.

But let us also reflect on the struggles faced by those who have come before us and fought for this very space. Think of Harriet Tubman, who, escaping the chains of slavery, dedicated her life to helping others do the same. She understood that the safe space was not just a place of physical refuge, but a place where the soul could find freedom. The Underground Railroad was not just a series of hidden routes—it was a profound act of creating spaces where the most vulnerable could be their true selves, free from the fear of oppression. In helping others escape, Tubman created more than a pathway to freedom; she created a sanctuary where the spirit could rise, unburdened by the weight of hatred.

And now, O children, the lesson is clear. Just as Gandhi and Tubman fought to create spaces of freedom, so too must we fight in our own lives to give each other the gift of a safe space. Sara Bareilles’s words are not just an ideal, they are a call to action—a call to create, within our homes, our communities, and our world, the space for one another to truly, truly be ourselves. When we create this space, we do not merely offer comfort; we offer empowerment, the freedom to flourish, to live in alignment with our deepest truth.

So, O seekers of wisdom, take this truth into your hearts: the greatest thing we can do is to create safe spaces for one another. Let go of judgment and expectation, and embrace the power of acceptance. Look to those around you, and ask yourself: How can I create space for this person to be who they truly are? In doing so, you will not only create a world of peace and love, but a world where the soul, unburdened, can rise to its highest potential. This is the gift you can give to the world—the gift of safe space, where each and every person can truly be themselves, and in doing so, become the fullest version of who they are meant to be.