Is "I'm Sorry" Adequate?

Often people claim they don’t know what to say when they are told someone’s facing a challenge. Most of the time, they’re wrong. It’s not even what they say, it’s how they say it. You get a real sense of caring.

Sometimes, just three words said with real sincerity can become the Gettysburg Address of Love.

Then there are others who are correct. They really don’t know what to say but they start talking anyway.

Here’s my best advice: If you’re not sure which category you’re in, let me suggest that you keep away from anything that suggests:

1) It’s no big deal
2) It’s somehow the fault of the person facing the challenge, or
3) It’s a punishment from God

It’s also a good idea to refrain from sharing stories where a person went in for a lumpectomy and came out with a lobotomy.

Most of all, it's not what you say - it's the way you listen.