For a few years, I have had the feeling as if I was alone with my craziness. What I mean is.. looking at life through a different lens than others. Appreciating individuals for what they bring to my life, knowing that each person has something to teach me, whether it is beneficial, or not. I love learning how others view life, and listening to what drives them. I tend to be an emotional person.. I cry about everything! I cry when I am sad, I cry when I am happy, I cry when I am overwhelmed, when I laugh too hard, and sometimes I cry when I see something beautiful. I am likely to over-analyze any given situation, and always attempt to put myself in someone else's shoes to understand where they might be coming from. That doesn't mean that I always agree.. but it helps me to be sympathetic. I am a HUGE believer in Karma... as cliche as that might sound.. but I honestly feel whatever you put out, life will return to you. I am not sure how quick Karma's turnaround is, and sometimes it seems as though I have been waiting forever. Ha!
I feel as though sometimes others might view my outlook as unusual. Not everyone has compassion, or consideration.. (I feel bad for those people.) Recently I started working, and luckily my job lets me be that compassionate and caring person I am. For instance: This weekend I had a client call in a panic that her dog was sick. He wasn't "acting" himself. To some, that would have been an annoyance since the only appointment available was at 6pm, and to be honest, at first I was a bit irritated because I had dinner plans with my friends. Six O'clock rolls around and she comes in with her 13 year old dog, I could just tell he wasn't doing well, at that moment my irritation was gone. After talking to her for a minute, I felt as though she and I had some sort of connection.. Did she work somewhere I frequent? Is she the mom of someone I knew? I couldn't quite put my finger on it. After they assess the dog, they give him some medications, and she comes to the desk to check out, we start talking again. She lets me know that the dog was her daughters, whom had passed away 4 years ago. Instantly my eyes well up, and I start crying. She smiles and tells me it's ok. This is when I share our similarity. Needless to say, we both were crying at that point, and we talked for another 30 minutes about grief, the need to keep living, and the attachment we have to our dog. I think I might have even given her a hug. (OK, I did)
This is where that whole "appreciation for everyone" comes into play. This woman shared something personal, and our conversation reiterated to me that everyone is fighting a battle.. hers happens to be the loss of her child.. and I can understand that. She also made an impression with her words.. "Things happen in life that we have no control over, and no matter how hard we try, we just have to learn, and let go." I know I have been told that before, but for some reason, it sunk in when she said it. I understood what that meant now.
When I came into work Monday, I saw that the little dog had passed away. (yes, I cried) I wanted to call her right away and give her my condolences, however, I didn't. Tuesday, she called the office, and I immediately picked up the phone. I expressed my sympathies, and let her know I had been thinking of her. She graciously thanked me for being supportive and we talked for a while. After hanging up the phone I smiled because I realized that this woman left had an impression on my life that will stick with me, and I am grateful for that.
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