I hope you feel what I felt.

It is like a cruelly hypocritical joke of some sort for everybody not to cause others the pain ironically they don't need, make others feel the pain they don't want to feel, ruin somebody else's mood because they themselves wouldn't like to be inflicted with the reciprocated mood.

Empathy and understanding in today's world is a farfetched longing, that some ignore, that some discard, that some use, that some show, and that some really feel.

Recently, I was attending one of my outside-of-school classes, I was a bit sad and dispirited at the time with everything kind of dawning up on me, and henceforth my teacher noticed and asked "Why do you seem so down?", I responded with "Oh nothing, everything is fine!"

Let me give some context: We had finished with our start of the year tests, and well let's just say they did not go so well, there are numerous reasons which I could and still can give but the thing is I won't because in the end acceptance is significant and growth is vital, so in truth, complaining over spoilt milk is unreasonable yet replacing it with fresh milk is reasonable, but the thing is it is okay to feel disappointed and know you can do better as long as you are willing to work on it. SO I FELT utter disappointment in myself as well as regret....................... OHHH and one more thing; currently I am being educated in grade 10, and grade 1o in our nation is a huge deal, and when I mean huge. I MEAN HUGE!!! Really crucial and you have to give your best, so the stress is really frequent, unfortunately. (a tale that shall soon be covered in upcoming posts:))

Now now, before you abruptly exit this page or shut down your device and think "Man, it's just another teenager complaining, ranting, and crying over her miserly life in school, grades, and what not." well in the whole of sincerity - NO just no, if you read further you may or may not understand. I leave it up to your eyes, mind, heart, and soul because remember as I said EMPATHY in today's world is farfetched and really golden. See how I just gave an example of you possibly leaving this post without even reading my side of the perspective yet side by side the realization of how common and predictable it is to have already been so presumptuous and audacious unintentionally or not? Furthermore, this was not meant to challenge or judge any or everybody. It is, was, and shall continue to be a testament to thinking twice before actually jumping to conclusions and really just understanding and applying the action of empathy and sensitivity.

In continuation to my story, I have provided the context as well as my testament, and now time for the "when I learned my lesson part." - After my response, my cheery teacher started with her own story.. In brief, she told me how people were criticizing and ruthlessly commenting on her during her journey of losing some weight, calling her all sorts of names, but she never paid heed to all that sort of nuance, she is a bold, determined, and kind lady! She told me how, after exhausting days at work or the gym, she would take out her frustration on her loved ones, scolding them unfairly just because she was having a bad day.

When you think about it thoroughly - What right do we have to cause other people sadness or hurt them just because we are having a rough time? Her story made me realize this. Yes, our close ones should be understanding, but that doesn’t give us the right to behave poorly towards them. We often take people for granted and hurt them, assuming they will understand. Testifying to that my teacher told me she embraced the feeling that when you are doing something tedious, when your day has been absolutely rubbish, just because you have a bad mood, you can't spread that to others, and make them feel the same pain, hurt or conflict.

The principle is simple - When it's bad, face it. Do not go around spreading the conflict, you should be aware of what you are into. Nobody has the right to act however they want, or be rude to others because of a particular or gruesome problem they are facing whether intrinsically or extrinsically; One controls how they behave and react. Yet if the problem is regarding an individual because of who you are feeling hurt, it is better to confront and talk about it calmly.

It is easy to say all of this, - "You don't understand" - Honestly, It really isn't, coming from an individual who is openly exposing herself, has hurt many people with her words and actions, yet so still does at times: Recently I just said something really mean to my mother because I was simply hungry, had a bad day at school, the words were hurtful. The guilt was consuming. How mindless right? But what You and I can both learn is understanding takes time, being empathetic is divine, and growing and flourishing as a human is really what matters after all the disasters, catastrophes, and fights. Mistakes are a human tendency, learning from them is a magical discovery, and healing from the hurt is a triumph of honesty.

One doesn't understand how damaging just some simple words or actions can be unless they experience it themselves. So, whether you're a student facing exams, a professional dealing with job pressures, or anyone navigating personal relationships, we all encounter moments of stress and disappointment. How we handle these emotions can significantly impact those around us, nonetheless, a small step at a time makes all the more and merry difference. Nobody is perfect, they aren't meant to be, however - Empathy and understanding begin with self-awareness and the conscious choice to treat others with kindness, regardless of our own circumstances.

And with that dear ones, "Blessed are the hearts that can bend, they shall never be broken." - Albert Camus.

With the most whimsical affection,

XOXO,

MYM