reaching out to help others

[Chiquitta]

Of late, I am reaching out to other survivors to give them support and vice versa. We get together at movies, libraries, coffee shops, etc. At first, it is scary to reach out, but after sometime, it gets to be a part of the life that continues to heal and making friends is always welcomed!


Chiquitta
When one has walked in the other person's shoes; he or she can truly understand.

[Xanthia]

Way to go, Chiquitta; great that you're making friends, being sociable.....

[Chiquitta]

the more support the better!






Chiquitta

[Harmony]

Dear Chiquitta,

Something you might try is listening to these friends you are socializing with very very carefully. Look and see what they want and need. This will bring more closeness rather than superficiality. You might chose to give more feedback that is specific to your survivor friends. Acknowledge what you are hearing rather than feeding back general cheerfulness. That lets people know you are hearing and processing what they are saying. If you need practice you could respond in specific meaningful ways to others posting on the site that you relate with here. Most survivors don't respond well to generalized cheerleading and happy talk. Survivors want to be heard and believed on a deep level. Everyone wants to know you hear what we are saying.

with support,
Harmony

[hummingbird]

Hi Chiquitta, I appreciate you so much, and your kind and caring heart.

Edited one time by hummingbird because of auto-correct typos.

[hummingbird]

By the way, I can only speak for myself, but I need cheerleading every day, if I can get it! This is excruciatingly hard, hard work.

[Chiquitta]

Hello,
I know what I am doing.
Thanks for sharing ur knowledge with me.


Chiquitta

[there]

It's great to read about what you're doing with other survivors!