In around 2016, I attended a volunteering day at the RUAH homeless centre in Northbridge, where I gave Reiki treatments to the centre’s patrons, alongside a few other volunteers.
I used to work at RUAH Mental Health for a few years and they’re an amazing organisation. It was really good to give back to clients in a volunteering capacity using energy work. 🙌🏻
During one of the breaks I sat on the sofa next to a guy who I discovered had totally given up on life.
He told me he’d been homeless for many years, disconnected from his family and kids, and suicidal for a long time. 🥺
A peaceful energy surrounded him – I’d seen this in other suicidal people before and knew it meant he’d made his decision and found peace with it.
I asked him if he had a plan, and he did but didn’t want to share it. I respected his wishes.
We had a long chat about support options and advice; it definitely wasn’t his first rodeo. He wasn’t there for advice.
I’ve worked in suicide prevention for a long time, and I know that by that stage, people often aren’t looking for advice – they’re looking to be seen and heard.
As we were talking, he looked down at the ground and burst out laughing after catching a glimpse of my little toes. 🦶😂
I was wearing thongs, and my little toes are literally tiny, with tiny nails. I’ve only met one other person with little toes like mine before.
Anyway, he thought it was hilarious and couldn’t stop laughing. 😂😂😂
We shared a really cool moment while laughing at something as insignificant as my little toes.
We kept chatting for a while after that, and it gave my heart warm fuzzies to know that even in his darkest moment, he could share a deep belly laugh with me – a complete stranger. 💕
I never knew what happened to him after that. If he decided to go ahead with his plan, I’m happy to know that he had a good belly laugh that day.
And if for some reason he decided not to, then I hope he’s living his best life.
You never know how powerful the seconds, minutes or hours you share with a complete stranger could be.
Be kind to everyone you meet – you never know what they’re going through. ❤️🩹
Much love,
