When I was four years old, I wanted to become my father’s secretary.  He had often complained and so, with the healthy arrogance of a toddler I was going to take care of him.  When I was seven years old, my mother was dying of cancer.  I knew that I could not cure her. At the same time it was also abundantly clear to me that this should not happen to other children or mothers.  I decided to become a surgeon and take care of it. 

“I want to kill myself”.  When I hear these words my entire being shifts into a different awareness and attention state.  My years at the Suicide Prevention Service Hotline in Columbus, Ohio taught me to shut up and listen.  Often, our callers had been socially and emotionally isolated for far too long.  Most callers needed someone who listened well, someone who could also respond in a manner that let them know that they were heard and understood.  The caring voice of a stranger was comforting enough to enter a conversation instead of following the feelings of hopeless- and helplessness.