There is no us and them when it comes to emotional vulnerability, the desire to numb our pain. I worked for years in mental health and have been privileged to have been able to hear people speak of their lives and private struggles.
We are all vulnerable to illness, mental health is a part of that too. Holding up our self that we present to the world can become too hard. It is the human experience and I am grateful to hear that you can see that potential and view a whole person. I found that individuals who are accustomed to being treated badly for their illness are hostile at first. Then guarded and surprised when someone like yourself approaches them in a different way.
I imagine your interactions mean more to him than the occasional free meal or beverage. I also imagine you are just as vulnerable as any human, if we are all truly honest. We all walk a tightrope while we juggle our lives, and no-one can predict the path ahead that can challenge the ability to stay upright and sturdy.
Thanks for posting.
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Reading your comments tell me that you are a wise person and such insights do not come from reading books.
You are absolutely correct when you say that I am as vulnerable as any other human. Indeed, only three years ago I suffered a breakdown of sorts and took over year to recover - but thats another story. All I will say is that the experienced was a lesson is just how vulnerable I really was. I was a humbling experience and it changed me. I am far more empathic than ever and I am very open about being vulnerable. The crazy thing is, since I have been more open about showing my vulnerability, the more people want to know me and open up to me. This is a whole knew world I never knew existed. Without wishing to bore you; In the summer of 2017 a german girl (aged about 27) started working in the local supermarket. She seemed like a typical german to me, I mean strong, stoic type personality. "Wow, she is a strong lady" I thought. One day she came into my gallery to look at my paintings and she asked about one in particular. I explained that the painting was about a past relationship that ended badly and I regretted my actions. I surprised myself by getting rather emotional and had to wipe my eyes. I apologised. After that, whenever I went into the supermarket she would smile to me. Then one day saw she looks somewhat sad. I asked if she was OK and she suddenly burst into tears. I put my hand onto her shoulder and just asked if there anything I could do to help. She grabbed hold of me and pulled me into the stockroom. I looked into her eyes and something told me it was to do with the workplace. "Its here isn´t it? It´s your boss. Is he giving you a hard time?" I asked. All I will say is that the guy had reputation for being a bit of a tyrant. She flung her arm around me and sobbed her heart out. In that moment I realised, just as you say, we are vulnerable human-beings. Well I offered her a job in my little cafe. She only wanted a summer job for the season and it was already half way over. She was great in the cafe and was a changed person after that.
At the end of the season her boyfriend came to pick her up and she introduced him to me. She gave me a hug and told me sh would never forget me and that was the last I saw of her. In strange way, allowing myself to show that I too am just a weak vulnerable human-being had tuned out to be a kind of a strength. Im still confused as to how but all I know is that it makes me feel stronger.
Sorry I went on a bit, but I guess your words triggered something.
Thanks so much for the valuable response - very much appreciated @girlbeforemirror
I have a rather poor memory, but is this the girl with the coloured stones?
As for the old man, I was told, many years ago, that people of a sweet and patient nature, as they age, they turn hard and catankerous, while those who were hard, grow gentle and sentimental.
I never could work out what I was, so I have no idea as to which direction I am travelling.