Giving

Sometimes in life we just need a break. Time to recuperate, time to recharge. Stress of work and stress of life. We all at some point need time alone and put all her thoughts in order, put our life in check.

The last few months have been traumatic and lying here now should have been impossible. Working long hours and defending those I care about. So how did I get here?

Managing staff and helping others fulfil their dreams.  Just things went wrong along the way. I’ve never pretended to have all the answers, but when James walked into my office, I soon knew things were about to change.

I have been a counsellor for twenty years,  have two children and a crippling divorce. I could bore you with all my problems, but I won’t.  Listening to James felt unreal, some of it I wondered if he was reading some fantastic fiction story.  Not giving advice is difficult, trying to guide my client to find their own answers. As the weeks went on, I was pulled deeper into James world. An exciting tale of conflict and pain, this man has it all and I was intrigued.

James

As I found my thoughts revolving around him, I knew I should take a step back, but I couldn’t. He either had a very active imagination or lived life on the wild side.  If you have ever considered jumping out of a plane or trying the jaw dropping sick making roller coaster at the fun park, James is the man to go with.

Finally, after three months of being client and counsellor he asked me to come and watch him. Finding himself enduring daily stunts to earn a living. He loved the rush of adrenaline but had convinced himself that he was a failure.  Why else would he throw himself of a building? Why couldn’t he do something less dangerous?

So, here I was, 22^nd May 2022, watching this man who I had growing feelings for jumping of a motorbike and throwing it across the road.  Wanting to rescue him, I stayed back, knowing he has done this scene many times before. Was there more then this? James was certainly good at this, but he was not happy. With the filming happening around me I could see the hierarchy.

From our counselling sessions I knew this man was very capable and maybe the strongest person I have ever met. However, there was more at this time that I didn’t know.

Giving back

I have realised that so many of us go through life blinkered.  We are so preoccupied with our own lives.  With our own challenges and problems. Have you ever heard the expression; charity begins at home?  I have, and should it?  There are so many that suffer while others are overindulging. So many enjoying their holidays abroad every year, while others are living of the kindness of strangers.  Sometimes we need to stop and appreciate just how far we have come and what we have.  Society, if you think about it is actually quite messed up.

Listening to others daily anxieties I was surprised when James told me his plan. I had never met true altruism before and here it was. After years risking his life for his craft, he wanted to share what he had.  Watching others struggling and falling, he had realised that he needed to give back.

Maybe it was my counselling that led James to this epiphany, but I had never met someone who wanted to make such a difference so selflessly.

If I am honest with myself, I have to admit, James has ignited something in me that I never thought existed.  For years I have tried to help others by listening, but that was all I did. James had much bigger ideas.  He had money and he had the  contacts, and had spent years fighting with himself to find a reason for what he did.

Conclusions

Here I am, August 2024.  The children are with me and my ex is way in the past. Sat with my feet up by the beautiful swimming pool, I look at the resort around me.  Altruism does exist and wow the feeling of living selflessly makes me feel finally fulfilled. We are lucky to be in this position. We have each other and the help of other likeminded individuals.  Lucky to have the money and time to give.  Lucky that James was not killed years ago and is now sat writing rather than risking his life.

Just remember just being more considerate of others, treating others as you would like them to treat you. Trying to be more charitable and giving more than taking.  Just seeing the joy you can bring to others all helps to make life more rewarding.

Written for Writers Unite! photo prompt

For more see, A dark and traumatic future