5 Tips on helping others get through hard times...

5 Tips on helping others who are going through a tough time in their life:

1. When someone wants your advice, 9 times out of 10 they don't want your advice, they want love. Each time you hear, "I need some advice", think to yourself that the person is actually saying "I need some love". Which is almost always the case, in my own personal experience. When someone is going through something hard, they want to be loved and to be listened to. So LOVE & LISTEN.

2. Quit saying "It all happens for a reason".When someone is going through a hard time, the last thing they want to hear is that their situation is occurring for some unknown reason. The reason is never appreciated until after the fact. And by saying this to someone it makes them feel that their grief or sadness is un-important because you think it is happening for a reason.

3. Let them grieve. It could take one month, one year, or ten years, BUT let that person have their grief. Never rush someone through a hard time, and make them fear as if their grief is too extreme. You will never know exactly how something in someone's life may affect them. And even if the same thing has happened to you, all people are entitled to their own reactions to situations. 

4. Be there.When someone is going through a difficult time, they just want people to be there. Check up on them, they will want people to be there, but don't want to necessarily ask people to be there. If you are lucky enough (and obviously you are important to them!) to know what they are going through, that means they trusted a piece of them with you, so be there!

5. Never say "It could be worse." While this may be the case, that something worse could have happened, telling that to someone going through a struggle will not help. To them, this paining hard time, is the worst thing to them, in that moment. 

You would think some of these things would be a no brainer, but sometimes people say or do these things, maybe unconsciously. Just remember, you were that important to your friend/family member/person for them to confide in you! Just listen, love, and be there!! :)