You can be the light in someone's dark tunnel, that's what you should try to be.
Sometimes all someone needs when going through a rough patch is someone to stand right besides them, holding their hand. And sometimes presence is more than enough.
I see everyone talking about how 2020 is a bad year and I acknowledge that, but I'd rather repeat the whole 2020 than relive 2017 . That was the worst year of my life. If I didn't have someone being my light, I wouldn't have been here to tell you about my story.
I should've known 2017 was doomed when it began with a breakup, literally on the first day, but that wasn't enough to push me to the edge. Losing friendships, Matric pressure, A friend committing suicide. . . That was enough to leave me depressed and not seeing the point of going on. I found myself surrounding by darkness trying to reach out for light, but I guess my legs were too short... I couldn't do it alone.
Some of people who helped me didn't even know I was going through something at the time. I vividly remember two particular conversations. One with Thandeka Mkhize, she was my isZulu teacher at the time. She was verbalizing how she viewed me and the amount of belief she had in my potential. She saw greatness in me when I couldn't see it in myself. At that moment, she became the light in my darkness.
The other conversation was with Paul Mutindi, my former Accounting teacher. I remember that day, it was a Friday afternoon. I went up to him and he began telling me stories about his life and how many times he fell and tried his best to get up. It was a very personal moment, I still don't know what made him pour himself out to a student like that, showing his vulnerability. That was exactly what I needed, to know that I wasn't alone and that there was a way out. He became my light.
Of course there were people in my life, I had friends and my family. But those two people didn't have to do what they did, they didn't have to be that kind towards me... But they were, and it saved my life. I wasn't really suicidal, but I didn't mind dying. A lot of things were happening, But all I needed what light.
There were many more moments when I felt like I was drowning and someone's presence/ kindness became my life boat. And now, I always try to be that person who extends kindness because I know how far it can go.
You can be that person for someone else, and I ask you to be. Compassion can really go a long way.
