For my friend

When disaster strikes, a city, a country, a people, we are often amazed at the efforts that tie people together to help those in need. Heroic, self-sacrificing efforts, at times even putting themselves in the line of fire to save others.

Imagine if we had the same line of defense for emotional crisis. If, when we saw someone drowning, as it were, in the tsunami of life, we would jump in and save them the same way we do for someone who is actually drowning, in a real tsunami. Clinging to a tree, holding on for dear life.

The problem, of course, is these victims are not as easy to spot. They might be covering their physical bruises with makeup. Or covering emotional pain with external smiles. They might pretend to hate the very thing they are, unable to look life in the face and love themselves. They might show love to those who constantly hurt them, reject those who could be of service, and in the end, wind up alone and unhappy.

The best we can do for these ones is NOTICE them. It doesn't matter if they accept our help or not. That is their choice, their journey. The most important thing is that it was offered to them, so they know that when, if, perhaps, they ever want a hand to hold, it's there reaching out to them. Not expecting anything in return.