Blog Post: A Little Compassion Goes a Long Way

Last week I presented It Doesn’t Make Sense and It’s Costing Us Millions at a conference.  True to every time I present, there we people who approached me to talk afterwards, and one who I spoke to over the phone.  It always touches me to have people talk about their personal issues as they relate to domestic violence, but I there were two people whose issues were especially profound.  One had experienced extreme DV many years ago in an early marriage and still felt so much pain.  That’s one thing I think those who are “outside” of domestic violence fail to appreciate.  It’s not possible to end the relationship and simply stop feeling the emotional pain.  The residual effects stay present for many, many years. 

One of the other people who I spoke to had serious concerns for a grown child who was in a relationship that practically screamed “Danger!”  What does a parent do in that situation?  Can a parent so anything?  The answer is “yes”, although much of it is indirect.  There are many, many resources available.  I shared with this parent quite a few, both over the phone and via email.

So as I prepare for my next several speaking engagements I will remember these people, and look forward to the many more I will meet over the coming weeks.

Today is also another painful anniversary in America’s history.  There are many, many people who feel the pain of what this date represents.  Keep them in your thoughts as well.