Other people exist, learning to navigate that isn’t easy and it never gets any better. That’s facts. But I have been noticing something lately and I feel the need to speak up. We all need to coexist in this world and it is natural to think of ourselves first, to live in our bubbles that protect us and block out much of what could be harmful but in protecting ourselves we make ourselves blind to how our actions might affect others.
We don’t know what others are dealing with; If their lives are great and they can handle harsh or thoughtless words/actions, or if they are hanging on by a thread. Our words/actions may make someone’s day, or snap that thread unintentionally sending a person into that abyss where they will need to crawl back out. It’s easy to be filled with righteous indignation but fighting fire with fire burns down what we build. If someone upsets us, perhaps it is better not to think of how they are in the wrong, but what they may be feeling.
It’s not a judgment that we don’t know how we affect others, it’s human nature. We aren't mind readers. It’s self preservation and it does not make us bad, or selfish, or cruel. There are whole lifetimes of philosophy dedicated to this very thing, but those are too complicated to get into right now.
I just ask that as the seasons change and the sun fades, when stress is high in our own lives, that we think of others and try to be understanding, patient and kind. When something doesn’t look right, call it out. When someone seems to be floundering, reach out. And when someone doesn’t act like themselves, that we try to notice how our actions might affect them. Be a rock for those who need it, because we want others to be rocks for us. And in doing this, life with other people might get just a little bit easier.
Homework: Say something nice to someone you care about today. They could really use it.
We don’t know what others are dealing with; If their lives are great and they can handle harsh or thoughtless words/actions, or if they are hanging on by a thread. Our words/actions may make someone’s day, or snap that thread unintentionally sending a person into that abyss where they will need to crawl back out. It’s easy to be filled with righteous indignation but fighting fire with fire burns down what we build. If someone upsets us, perhaps it is better not to think of how they are in the wrong, but what they may be feeling.
It’s not a judgment that we don’t know how we affect others, it’s human nature. We aren't mind readers. It’s self preservation and it does not make us bad, or selfish, or cruel. There are whole lifetimes of philosophy dedicated to this very thing, but those are too complicated to get into right now.
I just ask that as the seasons change and the sun fades, when stress is high in our own lives, that we think of others and try to be understanding, patient and kind. When something doesn’t look right, call it out. When someone seems to be floundering, reach out. And when someone doesn’t act like themselves, that we try to notice how our actions might affect them. Be a rock for those who need it, because we want others to be rocks for us. And in doing this, life with other people might get just a little bit easier.
Homework: Say something nice to someone you care about today. They could really use it.
Thank you so much for this eloquent reminder.
I love you, dear friend!
I love you, dear friend!
I love you too Somnom, thank you
Here is something that helps to explain loneliness, for anyone who wants to watch:
Here is something that helps to explain loneliness, for anyone who wants to watch:
I like this. It's well put.
Great words. I agree completely. You never know how words can affect someone else.
That was the best thing I read all day.
This is really sweet.
This made my absolute day. Thank you dear Kruhee, know you are loved!
Thank you dear Kruhee, know you are loved!
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