STAY GRATEFUL | Alicia

Last week I had a catch-up call with one of our clients whose wonderful talent partner is based in Ukraine. 

Before we kicked off she said to me "if I suddenly hang up it’s because I’m in danger". I asked how she knows and she said she gets a text to be alerted, she’ll then go and work in the bathroom, as the middle walls could save her life and it means she can still work as normal. 

I could feel myself getting emotional and as she continued to tell me about this I just burst into tears, saying sorry and turning off my mic and camera as quickly as poss. 

She knew I was upset so just sat and waited for me to get myself together, she wasn’t emotional at all - talking to me like this was just part of her normal conversations now. It literally tore my heart in two, someone younger than me, pretty much doing the same job, it’s just so wrong! 

I felt unbelievable guilt being sat in my safe office, moaning that it was a bit cold and that I had so much to do when someone that I’m on a zoom call with is trying to live a normal life, working and recruiting in a war zone! 

We had a really good meeting and catch-up, I’ve NEVER cried on a client meeting before, but she was wonderful and thanked me for my empathy and compassion although I was so embarrassed for the rest of the call - I couldn’t help it. 

What with the ongoing war in Ukraine and the catastrophic earthquake in Turkey and Syria - these past few weeks have been a sobering reality check for a lot of us. It’s so easy to forget how lucky we are and how much we take for granted, so if you’re having a bad morning, read this, take a breath and be grateful. 

We have been raising money with the amazing Human Appeal who are on the ground right now working in some of the most hard-to-reach places, providing emergency food, medical aid, warmth and shelter to surviving families who are still at risk outside in the freezing cold. Our Just Giving page is still open and you can donate here

Stay grateful.