the best thing I did for someone emotionally was

Possible trigger:

help her down off a bridge

she was suicidal because she'd just lost her cat, and her cat meant everything to her

thankfully, I managed to convince her mother to buy her a new cat and everything was okay

talked to her for a bit after that.. but not anymore. not really sure where she is

[Fuzzybear]

I listen to people and try to be present. I sometimes offer accurate empathy. I offer compassion.

A couple of friends have told me

Possible trigger:

I have saved their life and that I am a powerful caring angel

(ok that might sound like I am grandiose.

I was told something else last night when I was trying to have a conversation with someone (someone I did not know)

My opinion is that most people are in the middle of the grey (neither all black or all white)

I have talked a couple of friends down from

Possible trigger:

suicide

I am not sure where one of them is.

[Trippin2.0]

I stalked my friend's hubby on FB to let him know she was in a benzo danger zone.

[*Beth*]

By listening. Active listening. Not shutting someone down, and not making their pain, anger, fear, etc. about myself.

[bpcyclist]

I try to make myself available to sit with people while they are in their sh@, which is my hero, Brene Brown's definition of empathy. I may have no idea what to do to help you, but I am here with you.

[fern46]

That's really hard to say. I think at the end of the day they help themselves and perhaps I've inspired that. The credit goes to the doer though as anything I share or offer advice-wise is technically for me. It sounds nice to think it is all in service, but anything above simply existing alongside someone is self-serving in one way or another. That isn't a bad thing. It's actually quite beautiful in my mind. To give is to receive.

[Fuzzybear]

Originally Posted by fern46

That's really hard to say. I think at the end of the day they help themselves and perhaps I've inspired that. The credit goes to the doer though as anything I share or offer advice-wise is technically for me. It sounds nice to think it is all in service, but anything above simply existing alongside someone is self-serving in one way or another. That isn't a bad thing. It's actually quite beautiful in my mind. To give is to receive.

To give is to receive, I agree. Good post

[Moose72]

I don't know if this is THE best example but its an example.

About 13 years ago I was working in a school kitchen. We made food for the entire district.

There was one of the women that worked with me would sabotage my work- like taking a wrapped container of sandwich makings from my cart. I knew she didn't like me. Maybe because I laughed at something shesaid one day that she didn't mean to be funny.

Anyway, one day she was getting a cup of coffee from the coffee machine. I walked up to her and said "How is your day?" Well she softened right up, relaxed and from then on we got along just fine.