There is a very good chance that at some point, a friend, a family member, or a colleague will approach you with news that you don’t want to hear. Maybe they’ve lost their job, or just received bad news from their doctor. Maybe there’s been an affair, or a family member has died.
Almost always we respond inwardly with fear that we won’t say the right thing. “I don’t know what to say” – it’s almost a deer in the headlights situation.
Here’s the thing: when someone shares bad news with you, they are probably NOT looking for pearls of wisdom that will make them feel better. They are telling you because they need that sense of connection.
So relax.
The best response is simply “How is that for you?”
And whatever you say, if you hear the words “Well at least…” coming out of your mouth, it’s best just to stop there, back it up, and try again. Nobody wants to what, at the very least, you think they should be doing!
What we’re looking for at moments like this is companionship. Ask how this is for them, ask how you can help. That’s it. Show up – you don’t have to fix this.
