Look me in the eye…..tell me I matter
Look me in the eye…..tell me you feel
Look me in the eye…..and don’t look away

I have seen them all, eyes that laugh, eyes that smile, eyes that light up, eyes that speak and eyes that keep it quiet.

I have seen them all, eyes that hold back the pain, eyes that hide the fear, eyes that cry….without a tear falling out. Eyes that look up and hope someone else sees the truth.

Not one, not two but nearly all of us would have seen the distress in the eyes of another and looked away. Sometimes it is because we don’t know what to say, how to ask if they need help or even what to do if they come out and ask for help. We are conditioned from a young age, not to interfere with other people’s issues or get involved. This is the only way we can explain how so many young people have suffered years of abuse and how so many women have endured years of physical and emotional trauma at the hands of their partners. Surely someone would have noticed?

So many people I have worked with over the years have said that they hoped someone would see their distress and offer to help- simply because they did not have the courage to ASK for support. But for many no such support was forthcoming.

Those who came out of violent relationships early, often say it is because a third party came forward and helped them “see” what was really happening and helped them come out.

If you see something in the eyes of another person that doesn’t look right, just ask “are you okay” and then, when they say yes…..ask “are you REALLY okay”

It could mean the difference between life and death for someone….literally.