This is actually really funny, because when I was little I always had this idea that you go through this, but of course, being little, it was more stupid things like, "Hey, you wondered where your Barbie went when you never found it? HERE's what happened to it." Or, "all the bugs you ate and never knew" or "all the buried treasure you walked over and had no idea." Just a book filled with random yet interesting facts about your life. Now I find out that that was TRUE??? Well, kind of. The 6-year-old version true.
Anyway, the thing about this that doesn't quite ring true is that there's judgment involved in other people's emotions. For instance, sometimes you inflict pain on someone, but it's not because you're being a bad person. People often make themselves feel bad so they can blame someone else. What about that? What about all the boyfriends I broke up with? I wasn't doing anything but being truthful and progressive. And I know I hurt some of them really really badly, but it was for the best. And I don't think I want to inflict pain on other people who hurt my feelings for the same reason.
And what about that dull pain? Like, just the sort of indirect pain you cause to others by being a certain way, especially in a relationship? It's the kind of pain that lies dormant, usually, and then erupts.
Hmmm...
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