Have you observed how, happiness makes us insensitive? Like when you were happy, you couldn't comprehend or were patient enough to hear out or really feel for someone who's in not so great state?
How do you you right old wrongs? There havent been many, fortunately. But the few gnaw, bit by bit, inch by inch, at your peace of mind. They linger and fester. Mock at you. They shant be silenced till you have the courage to go back and right the wrong. Even if the other person(s) has moved on and can scarce remember what you are talking about. I am feeling reckless today. One of my biggest and oldest wrongs was when I refused to walk to the medical shop to fetch my sister pain killers when she was in agony. This was when I was in 6th grade. They say children can be cruel. But I was no child. It cannot be explained away. I still am frightened about my capacity then to be cruel. I have never apologized to my sister. But I have, ever since, tried to never let my sister down. But an apology is long overdue. I am sorry.
Comments
wat happened to u?
Ange - Contradict away. Honestly :-) We always had those long 4 hour conversations, remember? I think u belong to the other half of the population. No, actually u are a minority. I have often found people like me - insensitive when happy. Yes, there is another group which is insensitve when they are depressed. I guess thats where u fit.
in my case, think its self-absorbed.
you - i think detached.
I agree and disagree with you (hah! u need an mba to come up with statements like this).
Happiness does not make us insensitive. But euphoria does (but euphoria is shortlived).
Nor does suffering make us more tuned to distress in others. Point being, empathy is not necessarily a function of one's state of mind.