One day as I was reading on how to maintain good relationships, I came across a section on being a good listener and comforter. It said something along the lines of:
"When one confides in you, do not burden him in listening to your own problems which deem bigger to you."
Sometimes with the intention of making someone else feel 'thankful' of their 'little' tribulation, we tell people of our own 'big' trials we face as a response to their monologue of sorrows.
Example #1
A comes up to B, feeling down.
A: B, you know what? I was rejected by the parents' of the girl I liked for so long...
B: Well, your situation's better than mine. First I was rejected, like you. To make it worse, the mother splashed water in my face and then I was bit by the family's cat before I got out of the house...
Example #2
After having a hard day, C decides to find comfort in G.
C: G, hari ni kan, aku jatuh tangga..... sakit betul.
G: Well, aku lebih teruk... aku jatuh tangga, lepastu terhantuk kat dinding, sekali tiba tiba ada pakcik security muncul terus terpijak kaki aku...
Whether we realize it or not, at times we are B and G. What we fail to see is that A and C simply yearns for comfort and concern. Like a simple: "Kesiannya... abih ok tak?" This is definitely not easy to do, as we are always tempted to tell others our stories which we deem are far more painful. But let's keep that for later. For we must understand, different people have different capabilities. What they feel as a difficult period, is something we should acknowledge. Let's change our shoes and try to be in the position of our friend.
How does it feel to have just fallen down, and while struggling to get back up, someone verbally bashes you up by saying that the fall was nothing compared to theirs?
I think... that we should try our best to be there when one needs us. I've always believed that if we lighten the burden of one, our own burdens will be lifted. Be it today's or tomorrow's burdens.
Just a little time, attention, care and concern can change someone's day. So when someone needs somebody, let's be the somebody and give whatever that we have. Love needs to be spread, doesn't it? =)
