When Silence is Loudest, Knock

Days had passed since I last heard from my friend Joey. A silence that weighed heavily, that worried me. I remembered his recent words, the shadow in his voice. I left work, the coffee half-finished. I knocked on his door, my heart in my throat. 'Joey, it's me, are you okay?' The relief on his face, the gratitude in his eyes, pierced through me. A simple gesture, a door that opens, a silence that breaks. His smile was weak, but there. 'Thanks, man. It means a lot.'

That day, I understood that sometimes, you may be saving a life just by asking 'How are you?' Check on your friends, your family, your neighbors. You never know the light you might bring into their darkness.

And don't be afraid to reach out for help if you're struggling. Seeking help is an act of courage, not weakness.