Last night two of my friends texted me at the same time to vent their relationship dramas and dating disappointments. It made me grateful I'm alone. It's nice to know I'm someone they trust to share personal things with. I'm practicing listening and validating without getting emotionally involved in others problems. The latter can be a challenge for me to not absorb their moods. But this week I have been the listening ear for three upset people, and I managed it like a pro. Listen, validate, and repeat. I'm responsible for nothing more than that. Emotional support is an art form really.
My friend said: "For everything you've gone through, you're really strong."
Man, I feel like I've waited my whole life to hear that. I've been misperceived as weak because of my kindness, underestimated because I'm a woman, etc. But anyone who looks a bit deeper should detect the warrior in me. Kindness is courage. It takes bravery and emotional mastery to weather relationships with addicts, it takes an identity of steel and unwavering balance to walk the tightrope of multiethnicity in a world of monoracials fighting each other, and just being a woman is a battleground where every day I wasn't raped assaulted or killed, is a good day. I cry, and then I stand right back up. You think I'd give the world the satisfaction of giving up? NEVERRRR!
*quietly sips coffee*
8:37 a.m. - 2020-12-09