A little kindness can go a long way...

This was the following message I received from someone I saw the other day for 30 minutes who has a long history of trauma and opioid use disorder (with some parts removed to protect confidentiality):

                       Thank you for making time to speak with me. Your demeanor -- open, friendly, not-speaking-                              down-to-me and not passive/aggressively threatening -- and therefore not traumatic -- were A                            VERY BIG DEAL TO PUT ME AT EASE !!!

I think we sometimes forget how much our attitudes and demeanor shine through every interaction we have with people -- and how far we can get with just a little kindness, patience, and a listening ear.