This is a bit of an unhappy subject, so I apologise... but I think its very important. I try to always remind myself everyone has a story - a bit of empathy for others can have a huge impact. Sadly, one persons story came to an abrupt end on the tracks between Colchester and Manningtree as I was travelling home on Friday night. The emergency servicemen and general public looked pretty shaken by what they had seen. Apparently the train driver had only just returned to work after a similar incident months back. The investigation and recovery of the deceased took over four hours. All of this points to a highly gruesome situation its probably best not to dwell on, and one that changed the lives of many people that night - friends and family, passengers, transport and emergency workers. To get to the point, were approaching a time of year that for many people is a lonely one. These stories dont always have to have tragic endings: in January, a friend of mine was able to track down and thank the stranger whose kind words prevented him from jumping off the Waterloo Bridge in 2008 (you might have read about it in the news.) It really does go to show how much of a difference a simple gesture can make, and that it can possibly save someones life. In your everyday interactions with people, dont be unnecessarily rude. Try to be patient and understanding, you dont know what else they might be going through. See the girl crying on the corner of the street? The disoriented man wandering around the station? The vulnerable-looking teenager sitting on their own? Dont just walk by and forget about them. You dont have to offer advice or treat them; in fact, its best that you dont. Leave that to professionals. But while its common to feel powerless in these circumstances, you CAN be someones friend, possibly the only one they have left. Get them chatting to you, listen to what they have to say, maybe even talk about yourself a little so they can think about something else. Ask if they want to get something to eat/drink. Its perhaps kind of awkward approaching a random person in public, but chances are they will be grateful you chose to do so. It makes their world a little brighter, and might just give them the incentive to stick around. :)
Posted on: Mon, 24 Nov 2014 11:13:44 +0000
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