When The Strong Needs A Nudge

Sometimes, even the strongest among us need a little reinforcement, and when humans forget, life won’t.

“Renee, Susan, and Nora are complaining that you stopped calling them,” Rosa said to Gina as they walked around the track for exercise.

Gina sighed and she went on, “They also said when they call, you don’t answer their calls anymore.”

Silence walked with them for a few moments as Gina slid back into their friendship for answers.

“I don’t understand why is it that whatever problems they got, they think I need to know,” Gina elaborates.

“Well,” Rosa responds. “You aren’t telling yours.”

“And that means I have none?”

“To their brain, you don’t.”

“What a null brain they got. Every human on our planet is plagued with something that is obstructing their lives,” Gina notified. “Even the plants and animals don’t escape the pain of obstacles life and the actions of humans impose upon them. I can’t believe they are that unaware.”

“You don’t act as if you do.”

“Say what!”

“To them, you don’t complain. And they simply believe that you have nothing to complain about,” Rosa explained.

“Would you tell your problems to people who can’t help you in any way?” Gina asked.

“Why do you think they always tell you their problems?”

“Because I am a sponge and have nothing better to do with my life and time?” Gina’s frustration said, laced with sarcasm.

“Girl, whatever issues we face, we can rely on you to motivate, strengthen, uplift, and encourage, while changing the atmosphere from negative to positive, with wisdom and common sense. You change our feelings of resentment to love. Sadness to joy.”

“I do that?” shocked halted her steps and Rosa imitated her.

“Do you remember when Renee thought Sean was cheating on her, and you encouraged her to check the messenger before she took the message?”

“Yeah.”

“The messenger, who was her coworker Claudette, with whom she would often share good things Sean did for her. She was putting the moves on him, and when he shot her down, she went to Renee and lied. She believed her until you convinced her to do the right thing and stop telling females how nice Sean was. They might want to taste him. Which is what Claudette wanted to do.”

“Damn.”

Rosa adds more, hoping to return some of the strength Gina was always giving and sharing. “Three years ago, when Nora was complaining about the things James was doing. You suggested that maybe something was wrong with him mentally?”

That memory pulled pain to Gina’s brain.

“Turns out you were right. He had stage two brain cancer.”

“Double damn,” Gina said.

“You also helped our children,” Rosa sends her into further reflection. “A few weeks ago, Susan was complaining about Tina acting up and wanted to ship her off to her country so her mother could raise her. You suggested that she don’t throw her child in the trash, because she was behaving that way for a reason.”

Gina nods, “I wasn’t aware that my simple suggestions were that valuable to others.”

“You are overwhelmed, ah?” Rosa asked, easing closer to hug her. Then console, “sometimes, the light inside of us that we use to give hope, will get dim. That simply means that it’s our time to get back some of the hope we are always giving. Yes friend,” Rosa counseled. “Sometimes, the giver will be in need too. They will need a little hope themselves. You are so accustomed to giving all the time, you never see a need to take.”

Gina’s eyes widen as Rosa leads her to one of many concrete benches nearby, then consoles as they sit down, “Some humans take and don’t give. Life won’t. Because you refuse to take, life will create instances that will force you to take back some of the good you give. Life is fair when it comes to balance. Locking everyone out will increase your feeling of doom.”

Tears flowing, Gina asked, “How do I fix myself? I seem to be good at fixing everyone else.”

Taking Gina’s hands, then wiping away her tears, Rosa soothes, “Open the door, let us and life return some of the love and kindness you send out into our world back to you.”

Wiping away tears, “I guess I am not as strong as you guys thought,” Gina said.

“Sometimes, even the strongest among us need a little reinforcement, and when humans forget, life won’t. Open the door, and let kindness and love do their job. You will feel better.”

Hugging her friend back as a feeling of renewal surged through her, Gina said in realization, “I do feel better, thank you.”

“Life knows you more than you know yourself and will find ways to return the good you give. Please, don’t stop!” Rosa begs. “Our world needs good hearts.”

Nodding in understanding mixed with joy, Gina said, “Dinner at my house today for everyone!”

Lately, I have locked everyone out too. I don’t share my problems with anyone. But none of the people in my life hide theirs from me. Strong as I think I am, I become overwhelmed. But today, I learned locking the right people out will increase your pain. Open the right door, and let kindness and love do their job. Humans might forget your kindness; life will find a way to send it back to you from the right people.

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