It’s mental. Illness begins the moment you become aware of the ability. And let this be the moment where we confirm that it is, more than anything else, an ability. You can make people happy. You can make people smile and you can make people laugh. You can make people feel seen because you can see them and that’s all it really is. Seeing. You can see what they have, what they want, what they need. It all comes into focus at a speed that forces you into action.
When you recognize it, what being what it is someone wants to hear – no – what someone needs to hear. How do you not feel an urge to bring those words to your lips? How do you resist telling people what those around them have not had the compassion, nor the recognition, to deliver to them?
And if ultimately, you ever have that stroke of bravery that allows you to pause that constant delivery, those constant affirmations – how long is the proper time to withhold? Do other people have to tow this line? They must. They must.
I can see the words. They seem to float in the air above the head anyone who deserves them. And most do.
And I want to say them and shout them and write them and perhaps even type them. I want need these words to reach the ears on the side or the eyes on the front of the head I watch them float above.
And most do.
But one of these days, it would be nice.
Nice to hear them from you.