You know what? There are a lot of things I don't get, like the government, the appeal of slasher flicks, why some people create drama when life has enough already, enchiladas (seriously, what's up with those?) and why I feel the urgent need to write after 3 AM when I need to get up at 8.
Of course there are a lot of things I do get, like why bubble wrap is awesome, how Miss Batman exists, why vanilla is blue, and how life is beautiful no matter how ugly it can get.
But back to things I don't get. There's one in particular that's really bothering me right now. How can we be so insensitive to people's emotional pain? If someone says they're depressed/sad/upset because _____, there are plenty of people who, for almost any reason given, will respond with a "suck it up, others have it worse" message. Why? If I tell you I have pneumonia, you're not gonna say "Oh shut up, it's not like you have cancer." Likewise, if you have a cold, you aren't gonna be told "Quit whining, it's not like you have pneumonia." It just doesn't work that way. And no, before you ask, Steve doesn't count. He's an ass.
So why does it work that way with emotional pain? I mean, I have Lesch-Nyhan Syndrome of the heart right now. (May have googled "horrifically painful illnesses" and picked the most interesting sounding one.) But since no one close to me died or is in danger of death, it doesn't matter, I can't call in sick to work because of it, I don't get out of social obligations, etc. Hell, I might not even get sympathy, were I to share what exactly was going on. Not saying I necessarily want it at the moment but damn. We really shouldn't be so insensitive.
So next time you see someone who looks sad, be a decent human being and show some caring. Ask what's wrong, listen, and for the sake of all that's worth loving in this world, don't tell the person to suck it up.
Enjoy the muffins.
