I'm sorry sweetie I missed these bits when we crossed posts:

> Sometimes I'm moved by someone's post and I want to help, but I don't know what to write. I feel like nothing I write can really make a difference and I'm afraid I might write the wrong thing. A lot of the time I just end up giving the person a virtual hug and not much else because I just don't know what to say.

> I wish I had more life experience. I wish I had more wisdom and knowledge. I don't feel competent enough to give advice. I don't have much experience with living life, relationships, work or anything really.

>...When I reply I think I should read the person's post and none of the replies to it. I want my reply to be unique and not just echoing what others write. Yes, that is what I should do.

I tend to read what others have said because sometimes I can get a bit of a feel for what others are saying and I can say something from a different angle. Usually... It is other peoples replies that help me formulate my own.

It can be hard to know what to say to people...

I think that even just a quick note or a virtual hug... Well... That can mean a lot. A more indepth response can mean a lot too - but don't underestimate the value of saying something like 'I'm sorry, I don't really know what to say but I really feel for you and I'm thinking of you' and stuff like that. Sometimes it helps people just to know that their feelings are being acknowledged.

It is a skill...

But you have lots of other peoples posts to read and you are pretty smart. You should be able to figure it out ;-)

You can think too about the kinds of responses you like to get and start offering those to others

(We tend to get what we give)

I know you care.
I know you do.
((((Deneb))))