Focusing on agreeable points that relieves sufferi

by Introspection 6 Replies latest watchtower medical

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  Introspection

  ..ng. It occurred to me this evening that it would be more helpful for us to be able to stick to what is relevant to helping others cope and things we can all agree on at that, rather than thrusting a new world view on the confused person. I'll be the first to admit that I've gotten too excited about my own perspective on this board at times, and although it might make for an interesting read to some people those extra things just doesn't help, atleast not necessarily.

  In any case, it seems to me we can all agree that there are some basic "first things first" kind of things that are more important to address rather than even going into minute details. Now I don't know about everyone, but my guess is I'm not alone in that I'm not all that clear on what those might be because I am coming very much from my own perspective rather than one of helping others in the predicament of struggling with being a Witness and such, as I am not focused on this anymore. But I think if nothing else it would be good to atleast keep this intent and recognize when the person needs clarity rather than volumes of information. While some might cope with having their belief system demolished and just get upset and then continue the job on their own, others might be more timid and have a breakdown or something. My thing on this is in neither of those cases is the person brought to peace, whereas whether you're angry or afraid those are both states of being disturbed. While there is a place for that I guess basically what this comes down to might be a question of how you do it rather than what you do. I for one think I can do a little less thinking about what I want to post and maybe open up and try to get a sense of where the other person is at and simply meet them there first.
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  SPAZnik

  stick to what is relevant to helping others cope

  what isn't relevant to helping others cope? you have me very curious where this train of thought originated. i think any topic in life can be seen as relevant to helping others cope, when they've lost their entire world of "support" and haven't a soul to really talk to. even fluff threads lend a humour, which is imo the best medicine of all sometimes.

  and things we can all agree on at that

  sure. name one. hehe. ahehehehehehe.
  
  
  SPAZ
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  Introspection

  Well, of course I don't mean it in such a broad way, as I said what I had in mind was the intention to try to bring them some peace, and talking about just any old thing isn't 'relevant' or the most helpful thing to do toward this end, but there is a place for everything. It does depend on the individual of course, some people are way curious and that works to their advantage, because they'll start to really work at it and they're pretty much set then, but I was mainly concerned about others who haven't come to that point of open curiosity.
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  Introspection

  and things we can all agree on at that

  sure. name one. hehe. ahehehehehehe.

  That it's good to be alive, which to me is the same as being free. Hey, even if you say it's not good to be alive, you like the fact that you can say that right? You couldn't say that if you weren't alive!
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  SPAZnik

  good one. i wonder if everyone would agree. lol.
  
  SPAZ
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  larc

  Introspection,

  You raise some interesting ideas. I seems to me, one of the things you are saying, is that we should remember what is was like for us when we were the same place as the other person, and relate to them at their place.

  We do have a diverse group of new people here. For each one, it seems, there are people have experienced much the same as they have, and can relate to them. So, what you are suggesting is happening to a large degree, I think. There have been cases, where people have been missread, and have not gotten the help they needed. That is sad, but seems to happening less and less in the present climate of the board.

  Well, that is how I see it, anyway.
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  Introspection

  That's good to hear Larc, I think being able to relate personally makes a big difference. Although topical threads can be informative, people do feel the need to be heard and want others to know where they're coming from. The combination of posters with that personal touch, which of course all depends on the person they are relating to, and the more informative posts should be very helpful.