There are moments on “Survivor” when the sport fades into the background, and life—uncooked and unfiltered—exhibits itself in a method nobody might script.
Throughout a problem this week, one among our gamers, Eva, started to wrestle. At first look, it could have appeared like exhaustion or nerves, nevertheless it was one thing deeper. Eva has autism, and the depth of the second was triggering her to the purpose of overwhelm.
Just one different participant knew what was actually occurring—Joe, a former tribemate in whom Eva had confided, in case she ever wanted assist. And when that second got here, Joe stepped ahead. To not remedy something. To not take over. Simply to be there. To supply steadiness. To verify she didn’t really feel alone. What adopted was some of the lovely and highly effective moments I’ve ever witnessed—not simply as a producer of “Survivor,” however as a human being.
And it wasn’t simply what occurred between Eva and Joe—it was what occurred round them. It was as if the complete world went quiet. The opposite gamers instinctively gave them area. Nobody rushed in. Nobody stuffed the silence.
Everybody simply… let or not it’s.
As a result of in some way, and not using a phrase, all of us understood that one thing sacred was occurring. It didn’t matter that not one of the different gamers knew Eva had autism. Most of our crew didn’t both. They didn’t must. As a result of in that second, it wasn’t in regards to the particulars. It was about one thing way more common: vulnerability. Pure and unshielded.
And when that type of vulnerability is met with compassion as an alternative of concern—with steadiness as an alternative of judgment—it resonates. Deeply.
Possibly that’s why it moved us. As a result of all of us, in our personal methods, carry one thing tender we attempt to shield—part of ourselves we preserve hidden, not sure how the world will reply if we let it out into the sunshine.
However Eva stood in that mild. In the course of the storm. And her braveness was met not with discomfort or distance—however with care. Her fact was seen. Her wrestle was honored.
And it touched one thing in all of us—not as a result of it modified who we’re, however as a result of it reminded us of what’s already there.
After the problem ended and the gamers headed again to their seashores, I stayed behind and watched our crew quietly start to pack up. And I observed one thing.
They had been wiping tears from their eyes. However they had been smiling too. There was a lightness within the air, an power of their step. As if we’d all simply been reminded—via Eva’s braveness and Joe’s quiet presence—of one thing we so usually neglect: That being seen, and met with kindness, is among the strongest issues we will expertise. This second doesn’t belong to Survivor. It belongs to all of us.
To anybody who’s ever questioned what would possibly occur in the event that they let themselves be totally identified. To anybody hoping that in the event that they step ahead—as they’re—somebody will stand beside them.
That type of human connection—it’s not simply an concept. It’s actual. And when it occurs, it stays with you.
It was an honor to witness. I’ll carry it with me eternally.
That is Season 48 of “Survivor,” and Jeff Probst has hosted the present since its premiere on Could 31, 2000.
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