Everyone has a hot button.
Mine gets triggered when I take a call and the subject hits close to home, especially around domestic violence.
The thing is:
– I cannot share my feelings with the caller.
– I cannot tell them what to do (though I very much like to!)
– I cannot validate or give any reassurances.
– I cannot intervene.
Unless it is a clear Safeguarding issue, #Samaritans can only provide emotional support for our callers who are in crisis.
There are other charities who have more power to help, such as #NSPCC for child abuse.
And so, I sit on my feelings and I listen.
This can be very hard to do.
But I cannot fix every problem.
A phone call alone is not enough to provide full context of the situation, and besides, I only have one side of the story.
This happens in our daily life as well.
Those closest to us know what button to press to get a reaction.
However, I believe that Emotional Mastery is a goal worth pursuing, for it means that no one and nothing controls us.
And that, is what I remind myself whenever I get one of those calls.
It’s not easy, but I get better every day I do it.