Had a long walk last night as part of my plan to get HDL Cholesterol up and my LDLs down.
Part of my walk involved going through a park near my place.
And in that park is a small bay with a pedestrian bridge.
And last night as I was going on the bridge, I saw a young guy standing on the railing and looking down... and that set off alarm bells in my head
I looked at him as I was walking... and as I walked past, turned around and said "You okay?"
He didn't say anything.... and I repeated it 2 more times before he responded with a 'no'.
So I walked to him and asked him what was going on... and we started to talk. He came down from the railing and we talked more.
Essentially he was thinking of killing himself. The whole Covid thing, losing his job, not being able to see friends has gotten him seriously down and feeling like he has no purpose.
We had a long talk and I essentially shared some of my own experiences and what I learned over the years in terms of how to get through difficult times and stay sane.
I also told him that if he hurts himself, he's also hurting everyone who cares about him and that as bad as things seem, it will pass and it will get better... and then cited how vaccines for everyone are on the horizon and other things.
And I also pointed out that as a young, able-bodied guy, before he departs this world, he should do a list of things first... including asking a girl he likes out... me saying "what do you have to lose? If you try and fail, you're no worse off than you were before. But if you try and succeed, then you are better off... unless she turns out to be psycho. If she's psycho, then dump her and move on".
Incidentally he actually did ask the girl out while I was there and he now has a date for this Friday.
Though I warned him not to build up this girl and the date too much in his mind... and then we had a discussion about dating and how dating is tougher for guys when they're young, but it usually gets easier for guys as they get into their 30s and 40s (as long as you're of sound mind and body).
I also talked to him extensively about the worst time in my life I had in the past and how I got through it and what I learned.
We exchanged info, let him know he could call/text me any time and I walked with him for part of his way home (he lives in my area).
After we parted and I was heading home, there was another guy I crossed paths with. He seemed to be in good spirits.
We said hello... and he asked me if I was okay and whether I was homeless (I supposed this was due to me walking at 11:30pm at night)... I told him I was fine. I would have chatted with him, but it was getting late and I had plans to watch SNL with my daughter (which I was already late for).
I have to say... it was one of the more unusual walks I've had.
And I got in a total of 18,223 steps yesterday.
And now I shall give you two songs that helped me through the most difficult time I had:
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