Good things come to those who wait.
Time heals all wounds.
Forgive and forget.
What doesn’t kill you will only make you stronger.
Money can’t buy happiness.
It is what it is.
You have heard these before. Platitudes.
They are said to help someone feel better.
They are said because we don’t know what to say.
They are said because we believe in them.
Many are based on true, timeless principles and therefore, we use them.
They are hard to hear when we are living in the muck, in the hard part of the journey where we don’t yet see the light at the end of the tunnel. (Did you catch the platitude?)
When we have come out of the tunnel, we can see how the platitude might be relevant, but rarely are they comforting when we are in the sticky part of life.
What might be most helpful to another person who is suffering is to sit with them and listen to them talk.
We don’t always have to respond.
So much is said in silence.
We can do something for them, just because we know they are hurting. The card with the platitude is not necessary.
The next time you are tempted to spit out a platitude, sit with the person in their sorrow, share a piece of your journey that might be relevant, or ask them what they need right now.
Creating the connection is what is vital in our world right now.
Peace is created one connection at a time.
Dr. Paul