is no safer
in the long run
than outright exposure.
The fearful
are caught
as often
as the bold.
~Helen Keller
I was looking for a birthday card quote the other day, and I decided for something from Helen Keller (making mental note to actually read a book she wrote so I can find my quotes the old fashioned way). I stumbled on a bunch of quotes. This one grabbed my heart. I wanted to send it to my niece, but decided it was not the right moment. But it is my wish for the young women (and men) I meet. Fear is not a blanket we should wrap ourselves in. It is not armor; it will not protect us.
But today, after two prominent suicides, and the millions not reported in the news, I thought it was especially important to note - one of the fears we battle every day is the fear of reaching out - either for help or with help.
I challenge all to win that battle a little bit every day - maybe you can only smile and say hello; maybe you can engage a stranger in a meaningful exchange of how are yous. Maybe you will make someone's day brighter just with your openness. Maybe you will give a ray of hope to that person thinking life is too hard. Or maybe you will just lighten the load long enough for that person to see that nothing lasts forever.
Spread some empathy, sympathy and compassion. Please.
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