In today’s fast-paced world, it’s easy to get caught up in our own lives and forget the importance of helping and supporting others. While we are taught many important skills throughout our education, such as reading, writing, and arithmetic, we are often left ill-equipped to support those around us.
One of the biggest areas where we fall short is in our ability to listen. While it may seem simple, truly listening to someone is a skill that requires practice and patience. It involves putting aside our own thoughts and opinions and fully engaging with the person in front of us. Unfortunately, this skill is not often taught, leaving many people feeling unheard and isolated.
Another area where we often lack training is in holding proper conversations. We are taught how to communicate with others, but not how to really connect with them. This means that even when we do take the time to listen, we may not be fully present in the conversation or know how to respond in a way that shows we care.
When it comes to helping others, many of us think that the best thing we can do is to try and fix their problems. We rush to offer advice or come up with solutions, without really taking the time to understand what the person is going through. But sometimes, what people really need is just someone to sit with them in their pain and offer empathy, without trying to change their situation.
In addition to these shortcomings, we also tend to wait for others to reach out to us for help rather than proactively offering our support. This can leave people feeling like they are a burden or like no one cares about them.
It’s time to start recognising the importance of these skills and actively working to develop them. We need to start by learning how to truly listen to others and hold conversations that show we care. We need to be willing to sit with others in their pain, without feeling like we have to fix their problems. And most importantly, we need to be willing to proactively reach out to those around us and offer our support, even if it means stepping outside of our comfort zones.
In conclusion, helping others is a natural inclination for most people, but truly listening to them and holding proper conversations requires practice and patience. We need to start recognising the importance of these skills and actively working to develop them. By offering empathy rather than trying to fix others’ problems, and proactively reaching out to offer support, we can all become better equipped to support those around us. Remember, the mark of a truly good person is one who is willing to risk their own comfort or even their life to help someone in need, even if they don’t particularly like them.
