Around this time two years ago, a neighbor of mine was contemplating suicide. I didn’t know. How could I have known? Most people don’t run out in the street with a sign telling the world what they are planning to do. They just do it.
It’s tragic and should never happen, yet so many people follow that irreversible path each day. But if we don’t know that someone is thinking about it, then how can we stop them? Sometimes we can’t, but sometimes we can.
Sometimes all a person needs is to feel cared about. A single word of encouragement or maybe even a kind “hello” may be all a person needs to stop them from making such a horrible mistake.
Do you have a neighbor who has no family nearby? Invite them to dinner, buy them flowers or bake them a meal. Show kindness to them.
Do you know someone who is in need? Supply that need, even if it’s only a portion of it.
Do you know a single mother who is struggling? Offer to watch her kids for a few hours, so she can enjoy some much needed time to herself.
Do you know a child who is living in rough conditions at home? If possible, take them out for the day or buy them lunch. Most importantly, show them that they are not alone.
Showing kindness to others is not difficult, and we never know what kind of life altering impact our kindness may have on someone. People need to know that they are not alone; that there is a reason to live. So let us look outside of ourselves and look at the needs of others.
Me - Who am I? 
Sometimes we are so scared to take that step outside of ourselves and reach out. I know there are so many reasons why. But I’d rather take that chance if I see it, then to ask myself later why I didn’t.
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That is true and everyone has there own reasons and sometimes it varies depending upon the circumstance. You’re right though, that taking the chance is better than regretting not doing so later. The person I spoke about was supposed to be invited for dinner, but we were always “too busy” and never asked him over. Then it was too late.
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You never know what an act of kindness will do. Sometimes people just need to know they aren’t invisible…. and someone actually does care. Thanks for the reminder! 🙂
Merry Christmas my dear~
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That’s exactly right. You’re welcome. It’s always good to have reminders. Merry Christmas to you too!
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Another great piece of kindness, Me Who. Great thinking.
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Thank you, Mark.
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Also, anybody who can drop Kim a comment of support or good cheer in this next day or two, please do. This falls exactly into Me Who’s thinking here. Please read today’s piece from our fellow WP blogger trying to rebound from homelessness.
http://kh1313.wordpress.com/2014/12/22/no-longer-homeless-yet-still-in-limbo/
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Thank you Mark for the heads up on Kim’s situation. I just took a stroll over there and am glad I did.
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I’m not sure why some of us feel awkward extending a hand. I sometimes help without thinking. It’s when I over-think, I miss the person who really needed help. Getting caught up inside ourselves is probably the culprit. You’re right, we need to look outside ourselves.
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I think you’re right. It’s when we over-think things that we miss the obvious. Plus like you said, it can be easy to get so caught up with our own issues that we can’t see the needs of others. For some it comes natural and for others it takes more work.
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Reblogged this on theunspokentruth12.
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Thank you for the reblog!
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You are welcome
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I think that some people fear reaching out to others just in case they find themselves out of their depth. I don’t think that they realise that sometimes all it takes is a smile.
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I completely agree with you. I don’t think that people do it with the wrong intentions, it’s just a matter of not knowing what to do that stops them. But you’re right, all it takes is a second of kindness with a smile or a simple hello.
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