I almost accidentally found myself in a support group that had the rule, support others by talking about how we ourselves dealt with a problem. So that’s what I do. I’m not prescriptive. I say this happened to me; this is how I coped; this is what I felt. The other person can decide how much, if any, is relevant. That way I’m not bossy or presumptuous nor jumping over anyone else’s garden fence.

It’s the difference between saying “I’ve found steam helps my sinuses” and “you should steam your sinuses.” Or worse, “no wonder you feel bad; you don’t steam your sinuses.” Maybe the sufferer tried that already.

It’s possible to respond with full awareness that we’re visitors in someone else’s backyard. We don’t have to be bossy or prescriptive. No one is a life master here.