The two words “I’m here” hold massive power. When you hear someone say these words to you, you can feel a sense of companionship. A poem that was written by John Donne titled No Man is an Island beautifully captured the essence of human beings and their need to be socially connected with other human beings. We are social beings and we need others in our lives. Having someone’s shoulder to lean on in times of need not only saves us, but it also helps us become emotionally stronger.
Ryan Kuja shares his story
Being a therapist and a theologian along with being a surfer out of passion, Ryan Kuja tells a bit about himself. His passion for surfing is seen in his mannerisms. His need to dive straight into the matter, especially regarding his story narration, catches the attention of the audience. Right off the cliff, Ryan says that he has dealt with anxiety, survivor trauma, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and major depression. He then narrates two incidents that made him realize the power held by the words “I’m here.”
The first incident narrated is about a guy who was on the verge of drowning and how Ryan helped him. Ryan said that one day when he was out surfing, he saw a young guy within 10 yards of him who suddenly started shouting for help. When Ryan swam toward him, the guy said that his leash was wrapped around his leg and since he was out in the ocean, that wrapped leash became a nightmare. Ryan states that when he reached the young man, he was frantic with terror, sure that he was about to drown and die. But when Ryan held his hands and looked him in the eyes and said: “I’m here — I’ve got you,” there was a distinctive change in the young man’s psychology. This in turn made him a lot calmer and this change in physiology helped him unwrap the leash.
The second incident narrated occurred a few years ago. Ryan was surfing when he fell off a wave and heard his collar bone snap against a rocky jetty. While his survival mode kicked in and he managed to swim out of the water and onto the beach, his sense of terror took over along with sheer exhaustion. It was at that time that another surfer, who was also an EMT, said the same words to him and assured Ryan that he was with him till the ambulance arrived.
Looking at both the incidents, Ryan Kuja, a therapist himself, states that when the words “I’m here” reach the ears of a terror-stricken person, they do feel a sense of calmness. Often, in dangerous situations, we let our fear for our life dictate our actions. This can make matters worse, especially when injuries are involved. A calm mind that has full control over the body has a better chance at survival without dealing with lasting trauma.
The need for saying ‘I’m here’
When a person deals with mental disorders, they are also dealing with society’s judgments. Even today, therapy is looked upon with a skeptical view. When a person says they suffer from depression or other mental disorders, it often stirs up negative judgments in the listener.
Letting people know that you are there for them, especially in times of danger or injury, can mean the world to them. It can literally save lives. Saying “I’m here” can help the other person regain their calm and collected self. They can then make rational decisions. These two words might seem simple, but the impact they have is everlasting.
