Friday night at two in the morning, I was on my computer, talking to a friend and playing around with my tumblr blog when one of the girls that I follow posted a comment. It read, "I really just need a friend to talk to, or a stranger. Anybody who can just listen." I decided that because it was so late in the night and I wasn't sleeping anyways that I would reply. So I did. I asked her if there was anything I could help her with or if she just needed me there to listen... I knew I was a stranger but I was there if she needed me. I'm actually very glad that I did because I ended up making a friend.
Not only in one reply did I make a new friend but I managed to listen and give advice to a complete stranger and that was an amazing feeling. It's often hard to get into the heads of others and understand where they're coming from. I never believed that you could really empathize with someone without going through exactly what they did, because what makes you think that you know exactly what they feel? For me, assuming kind of feels offensive because while they're in pain, you might not be so how are you going to help or say that you're going to take that pain away when you can't? But this really changed my mind. I understand now that you don't need to go through the same things to empathize and to help, it just makes it easier to relate and connect when that happens.
I guess with all the struggles and hardships in my life right now, I've kind of retreited into my own bubble. I've been bottling up all my feelings and putting on a smile everyday. I don't like burdening people with my problems or sharing them because I feel weaker that way. But it felt really good to be able to be there for someone else and them be there for me. The fact that a complete stranger would stop, let me help them and then graciously ask how I'm doing and tell me that it'll be okay, and that I deserve happiness puts a little hope back into my life. It kind of reminded me that there are still good people out there that are actually genuine in their intensions, which is often hard to find. We all need friends and people to depend on, that doesn't make us weaker... it just makes us human.
i completely know how you feel, i would literally die without my friends or just someone to talk to. i think its human nature that we crave someone, we need someone or something to help us whether it be mentally or emotionally. im not afraid to ask for help but knowing that you actually would help someone in need that you dont even know makes me see you in a new light, which is definitly something that doesnt happen often to me. :)
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