Shared Human-ness on the Shores of Loch Lomond.

We’d arrived at the hidden shores of Loch Lomond, escaping the festive stress.

Laughing, we threw stones into the water, a competition to reach the rocks. We yelped as ducks started to swim directly at our stones.

‘They think it’s bread’.

A man approached us, offering us two bread rolls as a duck-friendly stone upgrade.

He told us all about the ducks, as we knelt at their level. They are attracted to bright colours, he said.

(He also knew all the goss. There was a duck-love-triangle situation that he filled us in on. The Drama)

Then he asked us what we did, you know, like work.

I mentioned mental health training. It prompted him to share some of his story.

We had a precious moment of non-judgemental connection, miles away from everyone else.

A still Christmas Eve moment of shared human-ness.

Wherever you are, your story and mission can move people. Your time and attention is the most valuable resource of all.

And you might just get an offer of free watersports lessons in return.