Anonymous Caring
I received a wrong number text message today that stated
U arent going to give up on me n stop talking to me bc things r complicated on my end, r u?
This person was trying to make a connection with someone who might not be talking with them anymore. They’re having some difficulties in their relationship that I know nothing about, but if I didn’t answer their fear/suspicion becomes reality. In essence, by not answering, the person they were trying to reach decided not to answer them. So I jotted off a quick reply
Sorry, I think you have the wrong number.
Then added
Good luck. I hope it works out.
I’ve often wondered if sometimes people just need to know that someone cares, even if it’s anonymous, as in this case. It’s easy to get wrapped up in ourselves and forget that other people need encouragement and support, too. There are little moments like these everyday that are easy to miss or ignore but that might have an impact in someone’s life. Don’t let those opportunities pass you by.
More of my rantings
- Family
- Growing a Small Business, One Person at a Time
- Challenge Yourself to Create Better Relationships… Offline
These might also interest you
- The FruitGuys – Changing the World One Apple at a Time (Tomas Carrillo)
- Sharing is Caring (Tomas Carrillo)
- Can I speak with your supervisor? (Brainfuel)
This is awesome, Curtis. Most people – myself included – probably would have just deleted it, but you’re absolutely right. That person probably need a lot of courage to send that text, and no response would have been really upsetting for them. Thanks for reminding us that we can so easily be better people.
November 9th, 2008 at 3:24 amAddendum – The easiest (and most important) time to do this is when someone has made a free website or a framework or a reference you think is cool or useful… drop them a line and let them know! These people run on encouragement, and you’d be surprised how rarely they get it.
(BTW, on that note, nice post!)
November 9th, 2008 at 3:24 amThanks for doing this. You are absolutely right and I should give words of praise more often. In a similar unrelated episode, I am now thinking about sharing the following on my blog but you get to hear it here first. I was expecting a call from a Karen but not this one. Probably one of the more interesting calls that I have received.
Wrong Number Phone call: Paul and Karen
Paul: Hello.
Karen: Hi. Where are you.
Paul: Uh, Samantha? not recognizing the voice
Karen: No, this is Karen.
Paul: Oh! Hey, you ready?
Karen: Ready? I have been ready for like the last 30 minutes, you called and said you were going to be here in 5 and now I am waiting out here in the cold. You are such a complete jerk and who in the hell is Samantha?
Paul: Karen? Whats your last name? I honestly think you have the wrong number. I am going running with my friend Karen and her best friend Sam and I just dropped her off at her house.
Karen: silence
Paul: Seriously
Karen: chuckles So, this isn’t Mark.
Paul: No, I’m Paul but do me a favor. Take it easy on Mark. He may have run into some problems or something. You know?
Karen: Yea… Okay, I will, thank you.
Not sure what happened after that but I hope that she did take it easy on him. Not totally the same but there is probably something to be said in regards ti relationships with this example of another wrong number gone …. well, wrong.
November 9th, 2008 at 3:24 amJay – You’re absolutely right. I tend to get caught up in my own projects and not to give as much encouragement to others as I should.
Paul – Great story! Wrong numbers can be very interesting opportunities.
November 9th, 2008 at 3:24 amPeople do need to know that someone cares, and sometimes it's not only the anonymous call, but also a human being close to you, who needs this care and support. I myself quite often forget how a couple of words can cheer somebody up, so try to be more attentive to everything that happens around you!
October 7th, 2010 at 5:05 am