The view from the top is nicer by far
than the one from
the foot of the mountain
where the valley people are.

A young man once said to me,
'I'm tired of people
who think they've arrived
who look down at me
from the heights,
lecture me and give advice.
I'd much rather open my heart
to a fellow traveler who is
closer to where I am.'

But another young man asked,
'Who'd follow someone
who's not at the top?
Who'd want to be where you are
if you are still where they are?'

Then a young lady remarked,
'How can you pull out the drowning
if you're drowning too?'

But still another said,
'How can you pull out the drowning
if you won't jump in the water
and stay long enough
to make physical contact?'

Confusing? Yes.
But a pattern emerges,
and, while I don't have
all the answers,
I do know this:

Stay close enough to BE there,
to make eye contact
and take the hand,

Stay far enough
and high enough to pull up
and not be dragged down.

Be strong enough
to hold yourself and the other,
But if you are down just as far
and drowning too,
don't say 'I can save you.'

Instead, lift your voice to the One
Who can save you both.
In fact, do that first,
no matter where you are.