Sometimes we have to deal with a loved one's sadness. This is especially difficult when you don't have what it takes to alleviate the sadness because the sadness is a natural reaction to life events. We all experience sadness from time to time, and most often we have to deal with that sadness ourselves. Rarely can another lift all aspects of that sadness, yet others can lift sadness in part.
I thought of this recently when I saw sadness in a loved one's eyes and body. This wasn't the kind of evident sadness that occurs after a tragedy or loss, but a more subtle sadness--the kind of sadness that a person may not have even registered yet, possibly a sadness not due to loss, but due instead to happiness not found yet.
When this happens, my natural reaction is to try to make it better with words, questions, invitations, or actions, but that rarely works. Instead when someone is quietly sad like that, it's good to observe, be present, and wait until there's a chance to thoughtfully and respectfully help out. Rushing in rarely works, though if the sadness is deep and troubling, that's better than doing nothing at all.
Sadness is a natural part of life. In fact, when we feel sad, it calls us to make new choices and see life anew in order to climb out of the sadness. Our loved ones just like us will experience sadness, and if we can be there for one another and build the kind of trust that helps us to reach out and rely on one another when sadness hits, we can help each other through the sad moments and chapters in life. Onward.