Contrary to popular opinion, there are members of the human species who are quite easily capable of showing deep, genuine concern for the wellbeing of others with relatively no regard for their own welfare. The English language calls these angels altruists, and - of course - they're rare.
We however mustn't be flawlessly selfless to reach out to the ones around us who need a shoulder to lean (and sometimes cry) on, thankfully.
I know I'm blessed to be surrounded by great people who would readily extend an arm of fellowship to me in my moments of need, and so it's become a point of duty for me to not only thank God for these people as often as I can, but also to let them know just how much I appreciate their kindness.
You guys are lifesavers!
One of the many little lessons I've learnt over the years is that even the weakest ones among us, whose lives are in desperate need of a timely intervention, can manage to keep a plastic smile up all day. Sometimes, that's because the happiness of our loved ones depends on our seeming fine and in control (think of indigent widows who try so hard to ensure their children have no inkling of the losing battle that life is fast becoming). Other times, it might simply be for the sake of keeping up appearances.
Either way, these people (and they're by no means few) need love and attention.
The knowledge that we encounter people like these everyday without our realising it should encourage us to smile whenever we meet people, show genuine interest in finding out how they're doing, and generally just be cheerful, because we know that the smiles we see are more often than not mere masks. You never can tell just how potent your show of concern will be.
But if we can deliberately do this for “strangers”, just how much should we do for the ones who are our kith and kin?
In all honesty, I feel really bad whenever I realise how long a loved one has been trying to communicate their need for attention or support without my realising it. If you've ever been in my shoes, you must understand this all too well. It's really easy to take it for granted that all is well, just as easy as it is to think that the people who you know care about you won't understand your struggles.
That's why parents who've known their children all their lives can have no idea that there's a teenager at home who's being abused, and maybe even contemplating suicide. That's why a husband who's been married to a great wife for decades probably won't realise that she's struggling with postpartum depression.
We know we should reach out, and we probably make the efforts to do so, but maybe we don't listen like we should.
It's easy to put the blame on people for not opening up, but sometimes, just paying more attention to what's not being said than to the little that is does the magic. The lyrics of a loved one's favourite songs, their favourite genres of literature, even the seemingly less significant things that Google knows. Especially those, in fact.
It pays to pay attention!
Not only is this post dedicated to the ones among us who are willing to reach out regardless of their own struggles, it's also dedicated to everyone who desperately needs to talk but feels there's no one to listen.
There'll always be a listening ear, a willing shoulder, and a loving pair of arms here if you're ever in need.
Always!
Happy Sunday, and a phenomenal week ahead!
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