Most human beings have some sort of hidden suffering or invisible struggle that they're not open to each other about. There's nothing wrong with that. A time to lament—to express one's sadness—is important.
Those who express their sadness are more likely to grow: to be able to empathize with people in similar situations. What is understated is the power of empathy to move oneself from out of oneself into metaphorically speaking, others' shoes. Plenty of scholars and novelists have explicated upon the trappings of individualism. One possible trap: we forget there are others around us that we need to think about, feel for, and empathize with. Another possible trap: aloneness and alienation.
I propose a radical idea: maybe it's time to let go of all those insecurities and fears about being a good person. We all have it within ourselves to be polite, decent, and hard-working people. Why not make your good deeds into something that could make you happy? It might be painful to open the door for someone as you enter Barnes and Noble. But it sure is noble.
No comments:
Post a Comment