I wasn't going to write this story but, when I stepped back and thought about it, I think it's important to. If for nothing else but as a plea for all of you to please pay attention to the world around you.

I have been in Big Sur this last week, wonderfully unplugged and writing my heart out. More to come from that but, it's been one of the best creative weeks of my life.

Yesterday, as I was leaving Big Sur and headed back to the real world, I stopped at Bixby Bridge one last time to enjoy the view and reflect. I walked out to the middle of the bridge where there is a small inlet and bench that you can sit on (I have never seen anyone sit here though it's the best spot in my opinion) and sat there for a little bit, just enjoying the view.

After a while, it was time to go and I started to walk back across the bridge. Now, the bridge is sketchy to walk on - There's no shoulder (and 300-foot drop on both sides) and you have to wait for a break in traffic - So, as mentioned, I have never seen anyone else do it. But as I walked back, I noticed a girl about 1/3 of the way across the bridge walking towards me. When she saw me, she stopped, stood there for a second and walked back.

As I continued walking to the end of the bridge, I noticed her sitting right at the edge. I got closer and noticed she had no phone out, was all by herself and she was just staring off in the distance with a lifeless look in her eye. It looked like she had been crying a lot.

I got closer and was going to say something then but, for whatever reason, decided to put my things in my car first and come back. I quickly did that and drove my car to the parking lot and walked back to where she was.

As I got about 50 feet away, she stood up and started walking out on the bridge again. I ran faster and, when I got closer, she was already back out on the bridge, walking out to the middle.

I yelled 'Ma'am! Miss. Miss. Excuse me!' As I got closer. I was yelling over the sound of traffic and a million voices.

She stopped, in the middle of the street, on the bridge, and looked at me. Just stared at me with the same lifeless look, dried tears all around her eyes.

I said 'Hey... Are you okay? I noticed you on my walk back and you looked like you were going through some stuff. Can we sit for a moment and talk?'

Right then, in the middle of the highway, she exploded into tears. Sobbing in silence and just staring at me. But she wasn't moving. I sat on the ledge at the beginning of the bridge and said 'Can you sit with me for a minute? I don't want anything at all - Just to listen. Come off the bridge and sit with me.'

She finally did and very slowly, walked off the bridge. She just sat there with tears falling down her face, in complete silence. She sat down now and I sat a few feet away, wanting to give her space but also be close enough that she didn't feel alone.

(Now, a lot of people ask me 'How do you know how to talk to people?' And here's a great example of when I literally have no clue what to say. But I know VERY well she needs someone to just be there. I asked a few questions and she just nodded yes or no. But I also left lots of time for just silence. I wanted to sit close to her but I was definitely not trying to flood her with questions. I did want to get her mind off of what war she had been struggling with but, above everything else, I just wanted her to feel comfortable.)

I finally asked her if she just went through a breakup and she gentled nodded and then looked at me and said 'It's not just the breakup though. It's everything, all at once.'

I said 'Man, I know that feeling all too well. The soul crushing feeling of a breakup, especially when you're younger. There's nothing else like it - It feels like the whole whole world is ending.'

I asked her where her family was. She said she doesn't know how to talk to her parents about things like this. Her brother and sisters are older and living their own lives. I asked if she had a best friend and she said 'Yes, but we don't talk about things like this because she's always too busy. She's always too busy to talk to.'

Very slowly, she opened up more and more, still sobbing. She was just 20-years old. In school to be a teacher where she wanted to work with children (in preschool) because she loves kids.

About a month ago, she had found out her boyfriend was cheating on her and, when she confronted him, he broke up with her. Still though, she thought she was pregnant and was holding on to hope that she was because she just wanted a baby. Someone to have. Someone to love.

But today, she got her pregnancy test back and found out she's not.

She called her ex-boyfriend to tell him and said 'He was so relieved and so happy.' But she was devastated.

There's no words to say to someone going through that.

She was just crying and crying. I sat close to her and let her cry. I told her how healthy it is to cry, to process and to take as much time as you need to do so.

Finally, I said 'I know that feeling. I have sat exactly where you are sitting now, questioning life. Questioning how it could ever be better. In fact, the reason I am in Big Sur is because years ago, I came here with someone I loved very much. She cheated on me, broke up with me and left me all alone. I remember when that happened, I didn't have a single person I felt I could talk to. I didn't want to feel like a burden. So I figured it was over. I got so close to giving it all up but for some reason I'll never understand, I decided to give it one more chance. To try as hard as I could to find purpose and a reason to keep going. And today, I am beyond grateful to be here and to share my heart with others. These struggles end up becoming your medal of honor and, when you see all those children you impact as a teacher, I promise you, you will always know it was worth it. Today, you're my purpose for why I continued.'

We sat there for an hour. More than half of that time was in silence, just letting her cry. I wasn't going to go anywhere, as long as she was sitting there. Finally, I got her a book and wrote her a long note, thanking her for inspiring me to be more vulnerable. To show more emotion. To open up my heart to strangers and give them a chance to be there for me.

And then I wrote down my email address and phone number. I said 'I don't care if you email me. Text me. Call me. Facetime. I could care less. But please promise me you will and you'll let me know you're okay. You always have someone to talk to now. You're never alone, I promise.'

She pinky swore and then we had a long hug before saying goodbye. I sat and watched her walk to her car this time and finally drive away.

I write this post for ONLY ONE REASON.

While this girl was sitting there on that ledge, just minutes before walking out on that bridge, there were literally HUNDREDS of people all around her. Every single person was on their phone, taking selfies, recording videos and then walking away. Not one single person noticed her and if they did, not one of them just asked if she was okay.

That's all I did. I just asked if she was okay. I didn't have the perfect words to say. I didn't know what to say. But just saying SOMETHING was enough to possibly save her life, in that one single moment.

I beg you all to please pay attention. Take your selfies and pictures but after you do, please look around. Enjoy the view. Take in the surroundings. Notice people. Say hello to people. You don't have to have a long conversation, tell a story or anything at all. 95% of the time, I just smile, say hello and keep going. But if I didn't notice this girl, I don't know what would have happened.

I am only one person. There are so many people out there struggling that don't have anyone to talk to. You don't have to give up your whole day. Just give up a moment.

Just be human with me. All of us, together, might be able to take a little of the weight off of the world, at a time when it needs it most.

Love you all.