When people are in need, close to us and far away, we sometimes struggle with ways to truly help. Send money? Get on a jet and lend a hand? Pray? All are good choices. Sheer human compassion can also help the healing process and sometimes this is simply a matter of thoughtful words

CNN.com reports on a Haitian-born French professor in Minnesota who chose to give free lessons in Creole for aid workers bound for Haiti. The story tells us how experienced volunteers in Haiti not only improve their practical skills by speaking the native language, but they also are rewarded by the warm, thankful response they get from Haitians who have suffered devastating and lingering loss.

“If they see an American say ‘How are you today, how are you feeling, what hurts?’… I know the smile that would put on somebody. The appreciation they would get to see an American not only care enough to be there but care enough to learn the language to speak to me in my own tongue and make me understand that I matter … I know the joy that would bring to a Haitian’s heart.”—Max Adrien, from CNN.com

Helping others dig through the rubble of an earthquake or the rubble of lost jobs or family crisis is always enhanced by also “being present” as a fellow human being and empathetic to validate the person’s situation and efforts.

How many times has sharing your problems with others refreshed your perspective and given you new strength? Don’t underestimate the power of lifted spirits!