The Art of Comforting Quotes

“Grief, in all its forms, surprises and tries us, calls us to think on our feet, listen with our hearts, and go with our guts.”
― Val Walker, The Art of Comforting: What to Say and Do for People in Distress

“We’ve got to be able to count on each other, or else we learn not to count on each other, and lose our faith in our promises, to each other as well as ourselves. Kids are so beautiful when they light up with anticipation for a big event, when they are counting on everyone to show up, but with too many no-shows, they lose their spirit, get discouraged, cynical.”
― Val Walker, The Art of Comforting: What to Say and Do for People in Distress

“Animals and nature remind us that we shortchange ourselves and those around us if we miss experiencing the great comfort of being both on and of this earth. They remind us that it is only when we observe thoroughly and listen deeply that we are truly “there” for ourselves and others.”
― Val Walker, The Art of Comforting: What to Say and Do for People in Distress

“Serving as a facilitator of comfort also means accommodating someone else to be a comforter in a favorite activity with the person in distress.”
― Val Walker, The Art of Comforting: What to Say and Do for People in Distress

“Support, according to the Oxford Dictionary, means to “bear the weight of.” In our supporting roles, as facilitators, we can help to bear the weight of our loved one’s distress, by serving to sustain a comforting environment and contributing to related activities and resources.”
― Val Walker, The Art of Comforting: What to Say and Do for People in Distress

“have within myself a core belief that this world, with all of its possibilities for failure, sickness, and death, is the perfect place to grow our souls.”
― Val Walker, The Art of Comforting: What to Say and Do for People in Distress

“We can comfort an entire organization by comforting people one encounter at a time.”
― Val Walker, The Art of Comforting: What to Say and Do for People in Distress

“Being strong with someone means creating a sanctuary for someone in pain, a respite from the busy, indifferent world around us, just sitting down, listening, and allowing the person to acknowledge his or her pain.”
― Val Walker, The Art of Comforting: What to Say and Do for People in Distress