Helping

…the joy of

I’m really not sure when it started. My love of helping.

I was so young. I think…it was so long ago, that my love of helping I can find the inception point. By seven years old I was wandering the playground with a group of kindergarteners checking in on kids crying in the playground.

I was drawn to solving problems…but also listening. I think I was just always curious about why people were sad. I think I realized early that sometimes…things didn’t need fixing….they just needed listening.

…and it’s the same with me too. I often just need the listening aspect. I’m a fixer and can generally manage my own problems. If I am in need of help, I ask.

It’s not a surprise, likely, to find out that most of the work I’ve ever done began as an act of helping.

The thing is that I am nearly incapable of helping if something feels like a demand. Gratefully I have an incredible ability to sense when someone needs help, and to offer before it becomes a demand.

This past week has been so big.

Monday was writing day.

Tuesday I had three separate conversations via video chat which can leave me both fulfilled and exhausted simultaneously.

Wednesday I played chess, then cribbage, then stayed at the space to welcome some new folks who had been nervous about coming into the space. Curious & Kind worked its own magic and managed to calm their anxieties. It’s a beautiful thing to witness. The way the space holds people.

Wednesday also involved a strange drop in by people interested in taking over the space. The feeling of uncertainty should be weighing on me. But it isn’t. I’m kind of just…waiting to see what happens.

No matter what it is, this iteration of Curious and Kind will have dissipated by the end of June. I’m preparing myself for that.

Thursday was a little different than usual, spring has arrived! Art drop in became a listening session for a friend. I was also holding space for grief for another friend. I had lunch with a friend. And our creative club ran by our resident nine year old was gentle and subdued, for which I’m grateful. The two kids who came drew, played and then filled a small Halloween advent calendar house with surprises.

I went outside today to find winter had returned.

I was a little grumpy about it, to be honest.

I decided to go in early to write my tiny book then play chess…but my chess partner’s pup was having some issues…and so he went home, and as he was leaving my friend and her three children arrived. She had prepared them so well…and I got to spend the morning making art, writing and playing with the four of them until a new chess player arrived.

It was a beautiful morning. The kids left without crying. (I have a bunch of cool transitioning out of the space rituals that help with the excitement of leaving) I got to know my new chess partner.

…and as he was leaving a woman came in, distressed, looking for a cyber security place because the man in her life was spying on her. I assessed the situation, and I found her the resources she needed. Calmly and without escalating the situation.

I often feel lucky to be wherever I am when someone is looking for help. I think how lucky I am that I have training in de-escalation. How I am able to harness my calm in a situation.

I did not get to finish my tiny book.

(Here is a picture of a cracked pot portal)

But I’ve now had sushi. Talked with some familiar townsfolks. And now I think I’m going to go back to Curious & Kind to write my tiny book. To take some time to emotionally regulate by myself.

The tiny book will be here, below.

Today is #72

📚📚📚

The Other Otter

#72

But for now I will send this newsletter into the world. If you want to see the tiny book, you can visit this post on Substack later.

I appreciate you and am sending you love from my Friday afternoon.

Heart,

Wake

(The snow on my windshield this morning)