Take a genuine interest in the lives and wellbeing of strangers

When I was younger I felt the world would be a better place if only everyone just cared about each other more. I started to really try to empathize with other people’s pain and give lonley people more of my time and attention.

What I have learned many years later is that if we give too much of ourselves away we are no good to anyone and we can actually become one of the emotional needy. I had to learn the difference between interesting people who were just being over looked and “energy vampires” who leave you feeling drained and guilty for not giving them more.

The world needs strong positive people like yourself but it will gobble you up like a greedy dog if you offer too much at once. I admire your character.

I love hearing about other people’s lives, talking to (or rather listening to) people on trains, buses, sat nearby in cafes. The frustrating part is knowing you will never see them again. I’d like to start giving my email address out to those who might want to keep in touch. Two examples are a girl who was about to emigrate to Australia, we seemed to get on well, and on the same day, one who had just returned from travelling around India. So wish we’d swopped details, so sad that I’ll never know how they are getting on.

But yes, despite this certainly worth doing – find out more about the people you share the planet with. And it’s an excellent antidote to the unremitting, scare-mongering we receive from the media.