Week 80 - "Our own wounds can teach us much about the wounds of others. What seems small to you may be the very thing that breaks another" — Henri Nouwen
Something you might notice if you read this publication often is my tendency to downplay any sort of problem or situation I write about. Look through my posts and I’m sure you’ll see me repeatedly preach about how I may not know what I’m talking about or how there are people in much worse situations that deserve more attention.
And although I don’t think I’m ever wrong to say that, after all, I’m just a 20-year-old student who’s extremely fortunate to be where I am, I find it interesting how I often feel like I need to minimize my struggles because of people going through worse circumstances.
Objectively, I know all the thoughts and problems I discuss here are luxuries that anyone less privileged than I would love to have. That’s not something I find difficult to accept.
But I don’t think that means I should feel bad about it. After all, why should I feel bad for something I have no control over?
And I don’t know if it makes sense to shrug off everything that happens to you if things could be worse because, well, things can always be worse.
Even now, I’m tempted to give a caveat about how realizing things can be worse can help you see how some stuff really isn’t as bad as it may seem. However, I’ll take a page out of my book here and stop.
I once heard a friend tell me that there’s no difference between drowning in a pool and an ocean. Regardless of the situation, your outcome is the same.
And even if your situation doesn’t hold the same weight as death, the same idea applied.
Just because your reality could be worse doesn’t mean you have to treat it like it is. You’re allowed to feel whatever you feel in response to something. Ultimately, it’s how you react that’s indicative of what happens next.
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