Men’s wellbeing extends beyond training sessions, race medals and personal bests. Sometimes it’s found in the conversations we have, the choices we make, and the people we choose to support.
How many of you gentlemen have been chugged?
You know the play. You’re going about your business and a young person approaches you looking for a donation towards a magazine or cause for youth empowerment.
More importantly, how many of us have walked away from an interaction wondering whether we did the right thing?
I was in the local town centre and got approached by a young man who reminded me of a younger version of myself. Young, articulate, uncomfortable with direct eye contact, but with an excellent vocabulary and a willingness to engage.
The donation wasn’t in return for a magazine but rather a contribution towards helping young people choose better alternatives to county lines and knife crime. He was accepting cash or card.
His story was compelling. The kind where most people never return from. A sibling lost to knife crime. As a result, he stopped speaking for a long time until he was asked a powerful question by a mentor from the initiative he was raising money for.
“How can we help you if you don’t speak?”
That question caused him to open up, and here he was now, talking to me.
Listening to him, I was reminded how much difference one conversation, one mentor, or one opportunity can make in a young person’s life.
Less than an hour earlier, I had been reading about the verdict in the Karmelo Anthony case in the US (#iykyk). Given my own experience growing up and what I’ve seen in my own community, it was difficult to simply walk away without making a contribution.
As I left, I wondered whether I’d just been finessed or chugged. In the end, I concluded that I had done what I could. I’d rather make a small contribution to someone trying to create a better future than walk away wondering whether I could have helped.
I also made a point of acknowledging his courage and skill. Approaching strangers isn’t easy. He wasn’t begging; he was communicating, building rapport and making a pitch. Whatever people think about street fundraising, those are valuable life skills that can open doors in the future.
Sometimes wellbeing isn’t just about looking after ourselves. It’s also about recognising potential in others and supporting it when we can.
What about you?
Would you rather risk helping someone who turns out not to be genuine, or walk away from someone who genuinely needed support? Why?
1 comment
I think I’ve been chugged many times but as long as I’m doing it intentionally then I’m ok with it.
Great article