PSA: It's Not About You

PSA: 

If you're going to reach out to lend support to a friend or loved one dealing with a sensitive situation, please take a moment before you reach out to remind yourself that this is what you're doing.  Remove yourself and your feelings from the conversation because it's not about you.  As natural as it may feel to express how helpless you feel, how hurt you are or how you don't know what to do, don't.  The last thing someone going through something wants or needs is to now to have to help you manage your feelings.  It can even come off disrespectful or offensive; as if your pain even remotely compares to theirs.  It's selfish and it's insensitive.

It's also counterproductive to what you intended - if it's what you truly intended.  I say that because some people's motivation isn't genuine, whether or not they realize it.  The need for attention is so ingrained in some folks that they aren't even aware when they are doing the right thing for the wrong reason.  So just take a moment to remind yourself that you're reaching out to LEND support, not receive it.

That is all.