Private Mysteries
I had a thought today.
Whenever someone particularly resonates or is passionate about a certain topic — mental health, judgements, sexual violence, refugees, toxic relationships, anxiety, food habits, disability, schooling systems, friendships or whatever it may be, don’t look at them and think they are under qualified, don’t sit their thinking their thoughts and emotions aren’t valid.
Sometimes people are stories you have never read. Sometimes people have climbed mountains you have never seen, touched lives in a way that you have never, or have lived a life themselves touched by terrors that you can only imagine — so try to to be empathetic, emotionally aware/intelligent and humble. The truth is, more often than not, the reason someone is passionate or outspoken of an issue is because they themselves have experienced something in their past, it almost always links back to something personal. So be kind, compassionate and understanding. Do not be the insensitive person in the room who cannot see what lies beyond the surface. Try not to take someone’s passions lightly. Respect what each person has to say and bring to the table.
