Do you ever hurt people without knowing it? I'm sure all of us say, "Surely, not I!" Unfortunately, that is not true. As humans, we are very callous creatures and so often, if we're feeling happy or uplifted, our eyes are blinded to what is implicit but absent in the other's speech, mannerisms, eyes, smiles. So often I wish our blinders could just be removed, but the blinders are there not of their own volition, not because they just "exist" but because we place them there.
"Surely, I am not like that," you must be thinking. And maybe you're not. Maybe you're different. Maybe I've got this all wrong, and I will burn in some hipster philosopher's ironic hell where I'm too full but am at a 5 star buffet.
But what if I'm right? Right about that the fact that we not only wear blinders, but in fact, have put them on ourselves. It's not some abstract concept of society or government or media or religious hypocrisy or idolatry or devotion that has placed them on, WE as individuals have placed them on. Why? Because, (and pardon my french) we honestly don't give a shit. We don't care enough to actually ask another person HOW they REALLY are, or care enough to listen.
"Hey, how's it going?"
"It's okay, I guess."
"Cool, let me tell you all the good things in my life butterflies candy boys girls sex drugs rock'n roll glomp."
"It's okay." That should be the catchphrase of the century. We are blinded by pride and selfishness and we can't be bothered to listen to what another wants to tell us because clearly, OUR problems matter and the other, well they'll survive. They can "get over it".
What happened to caring? What happened to worrying about another? What happened to listening? To empathy? To striving to love, truly love. We talk a big game, changing the world, research, medicine, environment, feed the hungry. And yes, those are great things, amazing things, necessary things.
I can't change the world, but I can change the world around me. Listen to those emotionally starving around you, looking for some sign of affection, of care. Whether you love them or hate them, make it your duty to care about them. LOVE them, wish heaven on earth upon them.
This is the season of Lent and I'm confused and worried and stressed and tired and overall a very bad Catholic. I am a jack of all trades, master of none, no foreseeable future, nothing going for me. So many of you out there, you're so wonderfully gifted, whether in writing, drawing, music, art, science, math, theatre. Whatever it is. But when was the last time you used your inner ears to listen to the cry of a friend, of an acquaintance?
Whether you're Catholic or not, reach out emotionally. Whether you feel useful or like a bag of rocks in the ocean, listen, for you will always hear heartfelt whisper in the air beckoning for someone to look beyond the masks placed to the vulnerability underneath. I challenge you to answer the call. I challenge you to take a renewed look at the people around you, people you've known for years, and figure out if you really know them. When's the last time you asked them about their lives? When's the last time you asked how they were? When's the last time you asked them what made them happy? Sad? Confused? What excites them? What strikes fear in their heart? What has hurt them? Do you really know who is sitting right beside you?
Think about it. We may not have the luxury of time, but we have the luxury of thought. So I beg you, think about it. And maybe next time, when someone tells you that life's okay, you may want to ask them what okay means.
Cheers.
"Surely, I am not like that," you must be thinking. And maybe you're not. Maybe you're different. Maybe I've got this all wrong, and I will burn in some hipster philosopher's ironic hell where I'm too full but am at a 5 star buffet.
But what if I'm right? Right about that the fact that we not only wear blinders, but in fact, have put them on ourselves. It's not some abstract concept of society or government or media or religious hypocrisy or idolatry or devotion that has placed them on, WE as individuals have placed them on. Why? Because, (and pardon my french) we honestly don't give a shit. We don't care enough to actually ask another person HOW they REALLY are, or care enough to listen.
"Hey, how's it going?"
"It's okay, I guess."
"Cool, let me tell you all the good things in my life butterflies candy boys girls sex drugs rock'n roll glomp."
"It's okay." That should be the catchphrase of the century. We are blinded by pride and selfishness and we can't be bothered to listen to what another wants to tell us because clearly, OUR problems matter and the other, well they'll survive. They can "get over it".
What happened to caring? What happened to worrying about another? What happened to listening? To empathy? To striving to love, truly love. We talk a big game, changing the world, research, medicine, environment, feed the hungry. And yes, those are great things, amazing things, necessary things.
I can't change the world, but I can change the world around me. Listen to those emotionally starving around you, looking for some sign of affection, of care. Whether you love them or hate them, make it your duty to care about them. LOVE them, wish heaven on earth upon them.
This is the season of Lent and I'm confused and worried and stressed and tired and overall a very bad Catholic. I am a jack of all trades, master of none, no foreseeable future, nothing going for me. So many of you out there, you're so wonderfully gifted, whether in writing, drawing, music, art, science, math, theatre. Whatever it is. But when was the last time you used your inner ears to listen to the cry of a friend, of an acquaintance?
Whether you're Catholic or not, reach out emotionally. Whether you feel useful or like a bag of rocks in the ocean, listen, for you will always hear heartfelt whisper in the air beckoning for someone to look beyond the masks placed to the vulnerability underneath. I challenge you to answer the call. I challenge you to take a renewed look at the people around you, people you've known for years, and figure out if you really know them. When's the last time you asked them about their lives? When's the last time you asked how they were? When's the last time you asked them what made them happy? Sad? Confused? What excites them? What strikes fear in their heart? What has hurt them? Do you really know who is sitting right beside you?
Think about it. We may not have the luxury of time, but we have the luxury of thought. So I beg you, think about it. And maybe next time, when someone tells you that life's okay, you may want to ask them what okay means.
Cheers.
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