The Antifreeze Theory

Some people believe their problems to be the biggest problems in the world

and therefore feel the need to tell as many people they can.

Some people chose only to confide in the ones they trust the most.

And some people just choose to bottle up.

They are the most dangerous.

They believe their problems are nothing but their own; 

and therefore avoiding contact because they think it’s not big enough to discuss.

This group of people are the ones we should look out for.

They hide it

and they hide it well.

If you walk past a person who seems perfectly happy,

with the biggest smile around,

it might very well be a cover up.

This particular person is probably the one carrying the most emotional baggage in the whole street.

Most of the things might seem pretty small from the outside, 

but for the person involved, 

it might be life or death.

Awareness is a bitch,

because you can seldom tell if someone is sad (if there aren’t any tears.)

That’s why the question “are you okay?” should be repeated twice if you suspect the person you’re asking might say “yes” with a slightly bigger smile than usual.

The key is to ask the right question, at the right time.

Not at once,

but you want to avoid the wrong question,

because pushing too hard too fast will end with the person retracting into his or her personal space,

locking you out. 

So if you see someone who you suspect might be having a bad day,

don’t be afraid to lend an extra shoulder,

or a slap on the back,

or a simple thought,

just anything to help a brother or sister getting through.