Have you ever discounted someone’s feelings as being minor? Be honest now! I think most of us, at one time or another has done this; especially if you are a father. I think dad’s do this more than anyone, because in our western society, it is the dad’s ‘job’ to teach their children to ‘stop crying and get back up on the bike’. We do this in an effort to teach our children to be strong.  

But is it the best way to do this? Unfortunately, after making ton’s of my own mistakes, I have to say; no. There are much better ways to teach people how to be strong then my dismissing their feelings. All that teaches a person is not to have feelings, or in order to be strong we cannot display feelings, and quite honestly, our society could use a few LESS people that think like that!  

We all want and need to feel accepted and appreciated. These are fundamental needs to the human condition. Those that do not feel accepted and appreciated ultimately, in extreme cases, become our outlaws and outcasts, and again our society could use a LOT LESS of these. “Might does not equal right”, T.H. White seemed to know this principle all those many years ago when he wrote The once and future King. What does the junk yard dog get for being the top of the pack? He gets wounded, sick, feared, and vilified. Yes, he gets to be the top dog, and is respected (or feared), and he gets to be alone for the rest of his life; outcast.  

So the next time you see someone crying or saddened, and you start to think to yourself; “what a wimp” or “I’ve never seen such a crybaby” stop that thinking and reach out to them. We are all connected remember… and when you reach out to someone, no matter how small… someone else will reach out to YOU!  

Bright blessings ~ Richard