a shelter in the storm
I find that I have a tendency to be a foul-weather friend. Not exclusively, by any means - I love having a good time as much as the next person - but people that I know just seem to be drawn to me when they're down in the dumps. It's been this way for years, and I enjoy it. Well, I guess enjoy is the wrong word. I dont like that my friends are sad; I dont get some sort of power trip out of it; it doesn't make me want to compare my life to theirs at the moment to feel better about myself ... I just truly appreciate that they feel that they can come to me. That I'm safe. That they know I really do care about them. That I want to listen to them and help them try to feel better.
It's why I considered going into psychology - people feel comfortable with me for some unknown, inborn reason, and I really truly love being there for people. Even if I dont even say anything. I dont pretend to have the answers. I just try to help them figure out what they really want to do - and what's best for them, and that hopefully those two things are one and the same. Granted, psych wasn't the right career choice for me, but at least I can still help the people I care about.
It happened again tonight. Someone relatively new just opening up their heart right to me - telling me their fears and hopes, why and how they're feeling what they're feeling, crying shamelessly in front of me. Knowing that I wont judge or exploit them, that I care about them. Her.
It makes my heart swell with so many things at once. Sadness - for their situation. Happiness - that they came to me. More complicated ones, like frustration because I dont know how to help, or even a tinge of pride because I'm the one they chose to come to.
I dont know why I decided to write about this. It's just something that I've noticed happening over and over throughout the years, no matter where I go or who I meet.
I guess I'm just a nurturer at heart.
It's why I considered going into psychology - people feel comfortable with me for some unknown, inborn reason, and I really truly love being there for people. Even if I dont even say anything. I dont pretend to have the answers. I just try to help them figure out what they really want to do - and what's best for them, and that hopefully those two things are one and the same. Granted, psych wasn't the right career choice for me, but at least I can still help the people I care about.
It happened again tonight. Someone relatively new just opening up their heart right to me - telling me their fears and hopes, why and how they're feeling what they're feeling, crying shamelessly in front of me. Knowing that I wont judge or exploit them, that I care about them. Her.
It makes my heart swell with so many things at once. Sadness - for their situation. Happiness - that they came to me. More complicated ones, like frustration because I dont know how to help, or even a tinge of pride because I'm the one they chose to come to.
I dont know why I decided to write about this. It's just something that I've noticed happening over and over throughout the years, no matter where I go or who I meet.
I guess I'm just a nurturer at heart.