We Shouldn’t Expect People to Understand

Anyone Who Says They do, doesn’t Really
Perhaps the topic of this post might sound controversial but do hear me out. In all seriousness, how can anyone understand something that they have never experienced for themselves, even if they tried? Anyone who says they do, doesn’t really.

It would be from pure imagination — although fiction does have great power — a human being pretending to be a fish. Even if you could hold your breath for 10 minutes, the skill to breathe underwater is still something you will never possess. It is simply not in your genes.

An Eleventh Dimension
Have you ever gotten your heart broken, or lost a loved one? Then you would know that there is nothing like it in the world, that it is beyond even the most terrifying nightmare you could have possibly conjured, prior to the actual experience.

Let us just say that we have an extra layer to our slice of life, an eleventh dimension. Perhaps it grants added insight or accelerates wisdom that only comes with age (it does feel as if our bodies are in their 60s by the way), but it isn’t a choice we made or want.

Don’t Blame Them
So don’t blame a healthy friend, partner, colleague or even stranger for not understanding how you feel at the moment, or what you’re going through in general.

Perhaps they are trying hard, but that is the extent of their abilities — to try. And be glad that they don’t understand! I wouldn’t want any of my loved ones to.

What They Can Understand
Having said all that, there is something that they can understand — that they don’t and can’t understand how you feel or how your life is like, but know that you are going through a tough time. Empathy is an inherent ability that everyone possesses, and can choose to nurture through practise.

Our loved ones should be there for us even if they cannot comprehend what we are going through, to just sit beside us and say, “I am here for you. Let me know how I can help.”

Original post can be found here: http://achronicvoice.com/2016/02/09/we-shouldnt-expect-people-to-understand/