on containing the fires

a new role for mr fix it, man of action

When the alarm bells in my body rings, I’m always quick to spring to action.

My father was a first responder. He would wake at the sound of a pin drop, springing to action.

Emergencies required urgency. First responders are frequently urgent responders.

Our first response is regularly an urgent one when we see suffering.

I’m a lot like my dad. When I see my wife or children suffering, or if they have a complaint, I used to spring into action as if I were facing a four alarm fire.

You’re sad? I NEED TO FIX IT! MAKE IT BETTER MAKE IT BETTER MAKE IT BETTER!

The though howled through my body like a siren.

Sometimes?

The best way to make it better is to just sit there. Just listen.

Then?

Then ask: Is this something you want help with or do you just need to be heard?

That’s a tough thing to do - to merely sit there and listen to someone, especially when every fiber of our beings screams out for us to leap. It’s really tough to do nothing when it feels better to act. It’s so difficult to sit as a …