We've all had struggling friends and family members, and most of us have struggled from time to time too. How do we best support, nurture, and love our struggling friends and family members. What can we do?
I've read a bit about this and from time to time experienced this kind of love and care too. I remember once after a sad miscarriage, my aunt was ever so kind to me. She simply put her hand on my shoulder and meaningfully said, "How are you?" Her heartfelt attention and question touched me in such a caring, loving way. It was so much better than the relative who ignored the situation and acted as if it never happened--that was cold and hurtful. I know the relative who acted in a cold way couldn't handle the sadness and had a strong constitution about moving on from sadness, but I think you can do both. I think you can comfort and also help people to move on.
The worst thing you can do for a struggling friend or family member is prescribe the solution for them. There's nothing worse than being in a bad place and having a friend or family member call you with a list of things you should do to lift yourself out of the doldrums. Instead, it's best to listen, question, and wonder together about possible next steps or positive actions. People have to find their own way forward.
That said, my mom was never someone to let you stay low for long. She would always say, "Get out and help someone else," when we were feeling low. Though that was hard to hear at times, there is good merit in that advice. Nothing helps you to see the light more than getting out there and helping others--that brings great warmth and insight that helps you move ahead.
There's no one way to live life. We'll all have our good times and not-so-good times. Yet, with sensitivity, love, and care, we can help one another to live our lives with as much grace and goodness as possible. Onward.