I’ve been a people-watcher for as long as I can remember. Whether I’m at the airport, the mall, a restaurant or just walking down the street, I always see people and wonder what their story is. My wife, Priscilla, has often said, “Stop staring!”
When I see the businessman at the airport I wonder what he does for a living: does he sell something? What does he sell? Is he on the road every week? Where does he live? How does his family feel about him travelling all the time?
If I see a group of young people in their college sweats I wonder what sport they play and where they’re off to for their next game.
If I see a frazzled mom with kids at the mall I wonder about all the things she has to juggle in a day.
When I see a member of our military I wonder where he/she is from? Why did they join? What is their job in the military?
I saw a jogger the other day while I was out walking and she just seemed to have a lot on her mind. I may be wrong, maybe she was just having a difficult run. I always say I’ve never seen a runner look happy while they’re running. They never seem to be enjoying their run. Maybe they do later but during the run, it looks like a struggle. I found myself wondering about what might be going on in her life and then I realized that she might be carrying a heavy burden. A lot of us are right now.
More and more people seem to be stressing out as we continue with this social distancing. I’m finding more and more people who are fed up. They’re fed up with not being able to do what they want, when they want. They want their job back. They want to get a haircut. They want to travel. They want to go to a ballgame or at least watch one that’s not a decade old. They are losing hope or they are just worried because there are no answers as to when this will end. My wife said everyone at the grocery store seems to be uptight like they look at each other thinking, “Are you going to make me sick?”
That’s why I think it’s important for those that are not stressed (at least today), to help carry the burden for someone else. I don’t mean you should get depressed or angry, I mean that you should help them out. You don’t have to have the answers, mainly because I think there are no answers. Maybe just listen. Let them vent. Let them complain. Let them cry if that’s what they need. Sometimes just having someone they can share with can be a tremendous help. Think of it like a pressure valve that’s building up steam: you have to let some steam off before it blows!
I know that in my own life I have actually felt like a weight is off my shoulders when I’m able to share my problems with someone. In a way they are helping to carry my burden. The load gets lighter.
So even if you think you don’t know how to help someone — give it a shot. Offer to carry the load for a while.
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