tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3763558776798377621.post3679085895360336356..comments2023-11-03T01:34:57.709-07:00Comments on Only I've...: Catch UpCookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16878599514482955419noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3763558776798377621.post-34808876235243976952009-10-13T15:19:24.292-07:002009-10-13T15:19:24.292-07:00One quote my dear friend (who was a very existenti...One quote my dear friend (who was a very existential accounting major) always told me when we'd wax philosophical into the wee hours of the morning, <br /><br />This above all: to thine own self be true,<br />And it must follow, as the night the day,<br />Thou canst not then be false to any man.<br /><br />~ William ShakespeareRaisingsmartgirlsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3763558776798377621.post-92052278746758497312009-10-13T08:35:09.749-07:002009-10-13T08:35:09.749-07:00If you feel like you have an empathy for the peopl...If you feel like you have an empathy for the people around you, then you do.<br /><br />It's a gift only a few people share. Some days it might feel like a curse, because you pick up so much of the undercurrents of others' emotions. But it's not something to be afraid of. It's part of you.<br /><br />It's the thing that will set you apart from others, making you think you've gone crazy, but making you incredibly powerful when you learn how to channel it. <br /><br />Some days you'll be deliriously on top of the world, experiencing everything on a molecular level. Other days you'll be confused and frightened and maybe in despair because it's all too much. And sometimes it is all too much. And then, it's time for a bit of a retreat and some reflection.<br /><br />It's the thing that will draw people out of themselves and open themselves up to you, in time, when you learn how to use it. <br /><br />The key to using it? <br /><br />Look behind the words people say to the reasons why they say something.<br />Asking people about themselves is the first step, and then ask them why they think they feel a certain way and just listen. <br /><br />People have inner wisdom...but what ends up happening is that are afraid of looking within too deeply. When you compassionately invite people to talk about themselves (and most people love talking about themselves) and you patiently listen to whatever it is they say without judgment, you draw them to yourself and you help them reflect on their experiences.<br /><br />People fail to look within for their inner wisdom. They distract themselves with drugs, drinking, casual sex (and by the way all sex is not created equal, there are forms of deeply meaningful, soulful-kinds of intimacy).<br /><br />College is notorious for providing such superficial distractions. A little distraction is harmless, but don't change who you are to fit in. You have a very unique perspective and gift. <br /><br />You will eventually draw others like yourself to you. We tend to pick this trait up in others [ask me how I know ;) ].<br /><br />CaseyRaisingsmartgirlshttp://raisingsmartgirls.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.com