Saving lives. For some, this means running into a burning building to bring people to safety; others, it simply means being there with listening ears and a loving heart.
Which is more important? Trick question -- they both make a huge difference and they both are equally as important to those in need.
I could never forget the day when I realized my purpose; something that I was really, really good at which I could also making a living doing. It dawned on me that I possessed this special gift of empathy. That one tiny question then prompted a million other tiny questions. "What am I going to do with this gift?" "How am I going to get there?"
That's what led me to pursue the field of Psychology. Flash forward two years later, I learn about a nonprofit called Crisis Text Line that provided 24/7, free, confidential support to those in need. I began volunteering for that as a Crisis Counselor and my world is forever changed. This thing that I referred to as my purpose is now more than just an idea; more than just some dream that may or may not come true someday. I was living my purpose and I know that I'm making a difference in the world.
As remarkable as it is, however, there's something that no amount of training could prepare you for -- the feeling of being inadequate. It's feeling like although you did everything you could to support somebody, somehow you still feel like a failure; like you said too much of the wrong thing and not enough of the right thing. It makes you question if you're even good enough for this type of work. It makes you question everything.
This, however, is what I do know -- you're enough simply for listening. It's rare to stumble upon a truly empathetic person who will listen without judgement, so it's important to be that person for someone. It's important to just be there; somebody who will say, "I know you're hurting right now, but I want you to know there's nothing wrong with you and I'm here for you." It's support like that that helps a person get from one moment to the next.
The harsh truth is that it's impossible to save someone; you can only love them and help them love themselves. For many, it's about showing them that they're worth loving and they're so much more than their pain. To a broken soul, that alone makes all the difference.
You won't always have all the answers or even know the right thing to say, but you can always provide a listening ear and that's more than enough. Sometimes, that's all that people need.
