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What is with us humans?
Why do we have a tendency to trivialize other people’s problems, but when they happen to us, it’s the end of the effing world?
We compartmentalize for our friends:
Hey, at least you don’t have to worry about:
the political nature of Academia; gas prices; sibling rivalry; no buffer zone; working in retail; limited vacation time; being too skinny; student loan debt.
We think: Why can’t they just be happy?
But when it’s about us?
How are we going to make it work on one paycheck? I’m lonely. Am I living up to my true potential? I hate the way I look. She broke my heart.
It hurts.
So no matter how tempting it is to view the lives of our loved ones as a Paint-by-Number, let us remember that each and every day is a struggle.
For all of us.
For we all have an unwritten page to our narratives; it’s that indefinable burden of simply being human.
So, let’s give each other a break.
A hug.
An impromptu dance party filled with snacks and stories and secrets.
Let us embrace what it means to truly live.
. . .
SnapDragon is an educator, writer, artist, homemaker, and mom who enjoys reading Dr. Seuss to her son.
Follow her Two-Bit Musings and more on Snippets of SnapDragon.
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I think we are as a species great at hypocrisy. It seems to be how we’re wired.
Well said, friend! I suppose all we can do is try our best to check ourselves, and our feelings. 🕊
Sending you hugs. I would dance for you but my pain level wouldn’t allow for that this morning without extra meds so I will send extra hugs.
I am 57 and it took me a long time to start moving the old ego out of the brain and start moving in real empathy – not just “surface” empathy. I’m not proud of how long it took me to accomplish that feat, but I am extremely grateful I am doing much better in that area. I think a lot of it has to do with our me, me, me society. I have to have bigger and better of everything the Jones have and trying to accomplish that leaves little time to care about others. A huge part of it for me is that every time I do open my heart (blindly) and try and lay down my life for someone in order to help then with their problems – I get royally screwed over. I tend to dive in the ocean without checking for sharks. That’s part of my “doormat” personality.
I have spent the last ten years working really hard on being a better person so perhaps there is hope for others as they get older.
I have just come back to WordPress and haven’t had time to read all of your posts yet. How are you doing? Are things starting to get better for you at all? Is there anything I can do to bring something positive to your life?
I look forward to reading more of posts and getting to know you better. I really love this post. It speaks volumes to me. Thank you
Hello, friend. Thank you both for your kind words, and your thoughtful response. I think you are right: to become truly empathetic is a process. It can also be very discouraging to show compassion toward others, and to not feel it in return. 🌷
Life is very good for me right now. My husband and I are both able to work from home, and tend to our infant son. I still have bouts of anxiety and depression, but try my best to view it as just another day that will pass. And thank you, so much, for your offer of positivity. Your response alone has brought a smile to my face. Thank you for being here! 🕊
And then some of us are too empathetic. My motto is always be kind.
Indeed! It can be very hard, being an empath. And I love your motto. Not once have I ever regretted being kind. 🙂
Amen, girl! <3
Thanks, Robyn! 💜
This is so true. I had a close friend whom I once went to when I was severely depressed and was unwell. He just dismissed my problems saying he had gone through a similar phase and he ended up explaining his pain and sorrow was bigger than mine!
Ugh. I just hope people are not intentional in their dismissive behavior. . . 🕊
Yes!
Loved this!💕
Thank you, friend! 🕊
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It’s so true. I’ve called it the “nothing matters unless it happens to me” way of thinking. We’ve lost empathy somewhere along the way.
Yes! Perfect term for it. 👏🏻
what a great post!
Thanks so much! 🕊
The lessons of life never end. I’d like to think that most of us including myself will learn from them. I like one of your comments about being kind. Follow the Golden Rule I think is a great platform to start from.
I agree, my friend. We are all learning, all the time. Thanks for being here. 🕊
I do try not to do that! It is *so* annoying when someone says “It’s only a …” or “You need to get this into perspective”!
Yep! We can all play the game of “Some people have it so much worse”. And, most likely, they do. But that doesn’t mean we aren’t entitled to our own feelings! Thanks for your comment, friend. 🕊
This rings true and encourages empathy, I love it!
Thank you, friend! 🕊