When some crisis occurs in the life of a young person, it is commonplace for a friend to comment that he or she was surprised to hear of the incident. Comments such as “I didn’t know he would do this!” or “I did not think that she was serious!” can often be heard by friends that are distraught over the situations.
Yet, on looking back, a young person may explain that his friend may have said a few silly things, or may have posted some outlandish comments on social media. But the young person may point out that he or she thought the friend was only looking for attention. This young person did not take these comments and actions seriously, and misunderstood that his or her friend’s comments and actions were really a cry for help. However, friends should not blame themselves when things like these happen, because they really did not have a way of knowing that their friends were serious, in crisis, and needed help. It is often awkward to walk up to someone and ask him or her personal questions and make observations about the ways that the person is behaving. This could usually lead to a friend rejecting what he or she may see as intrusion into his or her personal life. However, starting a discussion with a very good friend could sometimes lead to the friend feeling comfortable enough to open up and share feelings. One of the suggestions made in the series of books, Successful Youth Living, is for young people to use the topics discussed that could easily be used to start conversations about awkward subjects. For example, in Volume 2, conversations about responsibilities could help a young person face the fact that he or she must take responsibility for his or her actions. Or in Volume 3, Developing Emotional Intelligence, a young person may gain some insight into how to deal with other people’s feelings. This is why I hope that our young people could read the series of books, Successful Youth Living Series (Vols. 1-6), discuss the issues raised with their friends or family members, and start serious conversations that could save lives. However, when confronted with friends that you suspect may be going through crisis, don’t hesitate as a good friend to be present with your friend and/or talk to him or her. Maybe all your friend needs is someone to listen. There are times when you can also be a ‘friend’ to a person that you know just slightly or maybe not at all. In a case like this, being kind, helping him or her to pick up something that may have fallen, making space for him or her to sit on the bench beside you, or even just simply smiling, could send an urgent message to that troubled person that you care for him or her as a human being. Don’t underestimate the small acts of kindness that could go a long way in helping someone deal with a difficult situation. Speaking to a friend or giving that friend an opportunity to share his or her burden could be life-saving. Being kind to a stranger could also help. All of these acts can go towards making everyone’s day better. Read Vol. 3 – Developing Emotional Intelligence – https://www.amazon.com/dp/1775009459
Yet, on looking back, a young person may explain that his friend may have said a few silly things, or may have posted some outlandish comments on social media. But the young person may point out that he or she thought the friend was only looking for attention. This young person did not take these comments and actions seriously, and misunderstood that his or her friend’s comments and actions were really a cry for help. However, friends should not blame themselves when things like these happen, because they really did not have a way of knowing that their friends were serious, in crisis, and needed help. It is often awkward to walk up to someone and ask him or her personal questions and make observations about the ways that the person is behaving. This could usually lead to a friend rejecting what he or she may see as intrusion into his or her personal life. However, starting a discussion with a very good friend could sometimes lead to the friend feeling comfortable enough to open up and share feelings. One of the suggestions made in the series of books, Successful Youth Living, is for young people to use the topics discussed that could easily be used to start conversations about awkward subjects. For example, in Volume 2, conversations about responsibilities could help a young person face the fact that he or she must take responsibility for his or her actions. Or in Volume 3, Developing Emotional Intelligence, a young person may gain some insight into how to deal with other people’s feelings. This is why I hope that our young people could read the series of books, Successful Youth Living Series (Vols. 1-6), discuss the issues raised with their friends or family members, and start serious conversations that could save lives. However, when confronted with friends that you suspect may be going through crisis, don’t hesitate as a good friend to be present with your friend and/or talk to him or her. Maybe all your friend needs is someone to listen. There are times when you can also be a ‘friend’ to a person that you know just slightly or maybe not at all. In a case like this, being kind, helping him or her to pick up something that may have fallen, making space for him or her to sit on the bench beside you, or even just simply smiling, could send an urgent message to that troubled person that you care for him or her as a human being. Don’t underestimate the small acts of kindness that could go a long way in helping someone deal with a difficult situation. Speaking to a friend or giving that friend an opportunity to share his or her burden could be life-saving. Being kind to a stranger could also help. All of these acts can go towards making everyone’s day better. Read Vol. 3 – Developing Emotional Intelligence – https://www.amazon.com/dp/1775009459
