Last week, I received an email. At first glance, it looked ordinary. But what it contained was anything but.
The email was from a man who had been in one of my Emotional Fitness Bootcamps for Men with his organization a couple of years earlier. The note was simple:
“Good afternoon Mike. I hope you are having a fantastic day.
Something happened yesterday that made me think of you.
Can you give me a shout? I’d really like to share this story with you. My number is (xxx) xxx-xxxx.”
As you can imagine, I was very intrigued.
I called.
The gentleman shared that he had been going through a relationship breakdown, which was causing him some serious mental health challenges. He went on to say that he eventually decided to seek professional help, which ultimately led to a prescription.
As I listened to the story, my mouth widened in a broad grin. A wave of admiration hitting me as I thought about how many men refuse to seek help in times of struggle. That story alone would have been enough to keep me smiling for days.
It got better.
He shared with me how he had taken the prescription into his pharmacy and handed it to his middle-aged, male pharmacist, who had become a familiar face after many years of patronizing the same pharmacy.
The pharmacist glanced at the prescription, then back at the man, searching his face. Finally, he asked softly, “Are you OK?”
In an emotion-laden voice, the man replied, “No. No, I’m not.” His head hung low with the weight of anxiety and despair.
Just silence and the hum of fluorescent lights as a flicker of concern flashed across the pharmacist’s face. Then he did something that made my heart sing with hope for mankind. He came around the counter, opened his arms and invited the man in for a warm embrace. The man accepted.
As I listened, I couldn’t help but picture the countless men who suffer in silence, never reaching for help. My smile spread wider, and before I knew it, tears blurred my vision.
I sat there silently on the phone, listening to the man share how much that embrace meant to him at the time. He affirmed how meaningful it is when men can display strength through compassion and empathy.
It struck me that there are several lessons in this story, and while I still absorb and process this a week later, I am reminded of a few things.
- It took courage for the man to seek help in the first place.
- It took even more courage for the pharmacist to step out from behind the counter and offer care.
- It took vulnerability for the man to admit, “I am not OK.”
- Small acts of kindness, compassion, and empathy can change lives.
I’m grateful this man shared his story with me. I’m even more thankful that more men are modelling a new definition of strength, one grounded in compassion, courage, and connection.
What lessons do you take from this story?
