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🚨 TRIGGER WARNING: Today’s newsletter references a school shooter.
If this topic will be upsetting for you, please consider reading this newsletter instead.
Today at a glance:
Estimated reading time: 4 minutes, 51 seconds
I’ve been wrestling whether I want to share this TEDx Talk with you because I’m conscious that it could trigger some people, and I’d hate for anyone to feel left out.
But the lesson in Aaron Stark’s experience is so moving that we ought to be able to learn from it.
Aaron is most known for a TEDx Talk with 15 million views which is titled: I Was Almost A School Shooter.
He outlines the experiences that he went through which led him to plan irreversible harm to masses.
But he goes on to share that having someone who didn’t abandon him in his time of darkness saved him from becoming a school shooter.
He claims that this friend didn’t do anything special:
“He treated it like it was a Tuesday. He treated me like I was a person.”
Even though I never planned to harm other people in the depths of my depression, I can relate to how life-changing it can be to have someone come alongside you in your time of need.
The idea that you can change the course of someone else’s life and even save others by just treating them like humans is so moving that I wanted to dedicate a whole newsletter to it.
So here are 3 Simple Tips to Save Someone’s Life:
💥 Stop The Explosion!
One of the most underrated things that you can do for someone is a Random Act of Kindness.
There’s something so transformative about the small gestures that can change someone’s mood in a flash.
Maybe it’s letting someone go in front of you in a queue
Perhaps it’s paying for a stranger’s shopping when they’ve forgotten their bank card
It could be something like gifting a friend some flowers
Or even complimenting someone on the way they’ve dressed
These activities cost us almost nothing, but can stop someone on their path to an explosion.
Try a Random Act of Kindness and make someone’s day.
📝 What small activity could you do today?
👂 Listen to This
Another small but significant way in which you can save someone’s life is by merely listening.
By giving someone space to open up and unload, we’re communicating that we care about what they’re going through.
You don’t have to know the answers to their predicaments.
You just need to listen.
This visual was initially inspired by a Stephen Covey quote:
“Most people don’t listen with the intent to understand; most people listen with the intent to reply.”
If you don’t consider yourself a good listener, I have a tip for you:
Anytime there’s a break in a conversation where you feel like you’re meant to contribute, say these 3 words:
“Tell me more.”
People want to be heard, so grant them the platform to be heard.
This tip comes courtesy of Dr. Mark Holder in his TEDx Talk Three words that will change your life.
Try it - you’ll be surprised just how well it works.
📝 Would you describe yourself as a good listener?
🟨 Your Worth Doesn’t Fluctuate
This last one is an encouragement for both you and the individuals that you wish to support.
I usually like to elaborate on visuals here in the newsletter, but I want to leave you to interpret this visual on your own:
📝 What do you make of this visual? Do you agree with it?
📝 Journal Prompts
• Who could benefit from a Random Act of Kindness?
• Who could you offer a listening ear to?
• Do you know your self-worth?
Consider journaling through the above questions yourself.
✍️ What I’m Working On
It’s been a very busy week!
At the start of it, I was fortunate to connect with the founder of Press Upload Ellie Wookey.
As a fellow creative, Ellie and I take a trip down memory lane to discuss how Wisdom Made Easy started, my goals behind this growing community and actionable advice if you’re considering starting something.
Watch the full discussion here:
And just a few days ago I published a page sharing more about Journal Wiser - my upcoming self-paced journaling course to help you to learn this life-changing habit.
To learn more and join the waitlist, click this link below:
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😊 Thank You!
Thanks for checking out this issue of the WISER Newsletter. If you have any feedback, I would love to hear it!
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Catch you in the next issue!
Thanks,
Michael
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