Laura’s Story

Happy to Share, To Learn, To Listen

It is interesting to think about how we connect with people nowadays. We are all part of a generation and an era that have never been so connected through the digital world, technology and artificial intelligence but even more isolated. Lonely. Struggling to find hope in simple, truly human similarities, engaging with our families, our communities; Hoping for empathy, appreciation and acceptance. An era of modernity and precision. And the irony is: we are longing for simplicity and tranquillity. A hug, a smile, shaking hands, eye contact.

There is no doubt that technology is here to stay. We know that. It is part of our lives. The way we live, work, function and the way we connect with people. It is in this lieu of technology that I create one of the most beautiful, enriching connections in my life: friendships from all over the world, despite being in different countries, speaking different languages, different cultures, time zone, distance and all aspects of adulthood. In our increasingly busy and robotic routines, meeting people that touch our hearts and move us in ways that we didn’t even expect, is a true connection. And we must keep it. Nourish it.

In our increasingly busy and robotic routines, meeting people that touch our hearts and move us in ways that we didn’t even expect, is a true connection. And we must keep it. Nourish it.

However, we are somewhat scared of this. We are not used to it anymore. We are avoiding going to this place where we connect with others, we need to disconnect from a superficial mode; we need to deal with ourselves. We need to look deeply inside our fears, our insecurities, our weaknesses. But when avoiding getting to know ourselves better, we are missing interesting opportunities and experiences of self-growth. We are underestimating the power of listening… and the power of a good connection.

Listening needs time and we need kindness (eye contact, silence, a smile, a ‘thank you’) and compassion (offering help, support, empathy) in order to listen. To listen to others, to listen to our own heart and voice. We need to be very brave to accomplish that. It is not easy! At all! We are always in a hurry. Avoiding losing time. Or losing track of time.

Listening is something that I am learning to do due to the nature of my work. Former journalist in my country, I now work as a bilingual interpreter for the national health system and social services in England. And I have been listening. And translating. And interpreting… I can say for sure: 90% of the patients that I work with, want to be listened to.

So, Chris invited me to share my story. Right, here it is: I remember seeing my grandmother struggling with depression during a time – back in the 90s, when depression was considered just a drama, a clear intention of just getting attention, crazy people’s thing. Diagnosis was a long process. Medication was still in the early stages and with very strong side effects. But she was determined to get help and with family support, she was lucky enough to have access to the right doctors and treatments – private health care, of course… Eventually she was fine. And she was safe.

That was the first time that I heard about mental health problems… still full of stigma and prejudice; judgment and underestimation.

Cut to December 2024, another one of these moments. I was driving my car back from a great day hiking on a chilly Saturday afternoon nearly Christmas Eve when my eyes caught the attention of a woman outside her parked car in the middle of the road, trying to call emergency services… There was a guy ready to jump off from a bridge. I stopped my car and tried to ring the police as well… we, me and this stranger, trying to help. Maybe the guy, maybe ourselves. Eventually, the forces came, and the guy was saved. And the woman and I shared a hug and lots of tears. We couldn’t know for sure if we did the right thing, but we were there. We stopped. We listened.

We couldn’t know for sure if we did the right thing, but we were there. We stopped. We listened.

I called Chris the following day to share this moment with him. And this time his voice and his words made me feel calm and reassured that I did the right thing.

I think as a society, we are improving. We are normalizing. We are talking about mental health issues. We are more respectful and aware. But still far away from a life where neurodiversity and peculiarities are completely welcome and accepted. With no judgement, no prejudice.

Again, we must learn how to listen. How to support. How to be there for others and for ourselves. Even on those days where you are not ok, and you know that you have to at least comfort someone that needs a word of reassurance or a hug.

But that is just me. Sharing my views and the way I feel about it. It is about interpretation, perception. The way we feel, process and transform our life experiences in core memories, resilience and wisdom… Depending on what baggage, what weight we decide to carry upon ourselves. And which ones we decide to let go. It is always worth it. But we need to learn to separate the wheat from the chaff.

So, a hurrah to all of us that keep choosing beauty instead of seeing the glass half empty; hope instead of giving up; creating meaningful connections; promoting kindness as much as possible; allowing ourselves to express compassion. And what is love if not all this combined?

What about you? How do you translate, incorporate and recreate BEAUTY, LOVE, HOPE, CONNECTION, KINDNESS and COMPASSION? Let’s share!

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From Laura: I was born in Brazil and have been living in England for more than 10 years now. I am a journalist; I work in the medical sector as a bilingual interpreter and translator. I love long walks and hiking. I do counseling twice a month. Although I am a very positive and energetic person, I do have my Monday blues every now and then. And that is ok. Happy to share, to learn and to listen. Always.

Chris’ Note: I met Laura last summer, while traveling through Europe. She and I had an instant, very human, connection and have kept in touch as good friends ever since.