In the Blink of An Eye, Her Kindness Saved Me

Barb, I almost gave up on myself, and then I met you.

If there’s one thing a German Shepherd and I have in common, it’s that we’re both loyal. If you do something nice for me, there’s a strong chance I won’t ever forget it. I’ll stand by you like the guard dog I am, and I’ll protect your heart if you let me.

Despite being a fierce breed, I have a softer side that easily buckles to self-doubt. Such was the case many months ago when writing became a hardship and I questioned my worth. Despite having a list of followers that continued to grow, my stats were less than admirable, allowing skepticism to convince me I had little value to say.

When I was high, I was high — but the writing lows were crippling. It’s true that regardless of how many positive affirmations my writing brought me, negativity weighed me down. And we’re not talking about naysayers or haters. Instead, I’m speaking of the nasty critic in my head that told me I’d never been enough.

And then one day enters Barb Dalton. She was a stranger I’d never met, a Medium writer I didn’t know. Through notes and comments, patience, and calm — Barb extolled my virtues. She gave me a lift from off the ground and helped me to believe in myself.

All I needed back then was one person who had faith in me. Someone who saw the worth in me I had lost. Barb had single-handedly saved me from throwing in the towel and convinced me to continue pursuing my literary dream.

Since that day, my heart’s filled with devotion and gratitude. Barb held on to my vision to become a successful writer and helped me not let go of it. Through her selflessness, I have continued to write.

“It’s not what you are that holds you back, it’s what you think you are not.” — Denis Waitley

My ego may show when I say I’m a massive fan of Barb because we seem so much alike. I grew to know Barb best through her daily feature, Canadian Chit-Chat, at The Daily Cuppa. She, too, is a personal essayist who writes from her heart about everyday life. In addition, she is a family woman who fiercely loves her children, is an advocate for nurse’s rights, a crafter, a writer, and has virtually become a darn good friend.

It’s very often Barb and I will write about similar topics without each other’s prompting, while other times our stories incite to inspire one of our own. She’s introduced me to publications and challenges and mentioned me in shoutouts. I’ve responded in kind, hoping neither of us ever runs dry.

When Barb created her publication, Nursing Notes, I was proud of her. Although I didn’t know what it took to start one, I gathered it took commitment and time. I’ve enjoyed reading all her entries — they’re insightful and full of substance. At first, I enjoyed reading her stories about life as a nurse, but when she opened her pub to writers to share their experience with nurses, I jumped to the chance to write for someone I admire.

Through her writing on Medium, I’ve learned we share a love of cats, the organ, and Canada — and we show a level of disdain toward highways and anti-vaxxers. Also, we are like-minded, strong-willed, generous, and kind.

It’s easy to feel an association with someone who reflects your values, but once I read Barb’s Coffee Times Challenge entry, I noticed our similarities were so much more.

In Barb’s words, she says, “Writing dominates my waking hours — and often my sleeping ones, too. It has started to affect both my physical and mental health. I’ve let it take over my mind and rule my days.”

Barb recognized her writing had become an obsession. Looking through the lens as she described her behaviour, I accepted I might suffer the same fate too. I don’t eat or sleep well, and exercise is almost non-existent. Thanks to Barb pointing out the dangers of a sedentary lifestyle, her sound advice toward better physical and mental health is one we all might heed.

From near quitting to kick-starting my hunger for creativity — from suffering from a writing obsession to healthy living, Barb’s reminded me how to embrace journalism with vim and vigour, yet caution too.

I’m so glad I stayed writing on Medium. It’s given me the warmth born from reader and writer connections and it’s challenged my creativity in ways unlike any other.

Thank you, Barb, for being there so many months ago when I needed a kind heart and a listening ear. You did both with ease, never asking for anything in return.

I was a stranger — you were a guiding light.

We all fall off track sometimes and we’re lucky when we meet someone who can set us back on the rails.

And look at me. I’ve created my first newsletter, written Midafternoon Musings daily at The Daily Cuppa, created long-forms, and held on to the vision I will one day write a bestseller.

Barb, thanks for your generosity. I am now living my best life, full of curiosity and passion.

I look forward to many more years of friendship. All the while, I will forever be your German Shepherd who watches over your successes and your setbacks. I’m loyal to a fault.

So, it begs the question.

Do we have this in common too?