Sta.sh
it’s not that i don’t care when someone’s struggling in front of me. it’s because i don’t know what to do that i stand idly by. people who rush to help without a second thought are kind, but not necessarily empathetic.
of course they’re well-meaning, but sometimes the fallen need to rise on their own – would you deny them the chance to reach for independence? to prove their own inner strength? how much would it crush them if you did?
it’s painful to watch, but as a witness i do not flee. should they openly request aid, i would not hesitate to give it. but to take the initiative and offer of my own accord is a different matter. as always, i am afraid of rejection.
somehow when trying to imagine a perspective it always comes back to a personal viewpoint. and i realize that in their position only my pride would keep me from asking for help. i would silently try to deal with my problems on my own out of sheer stubbornness, but i’d only be delighted if someone were to lend a hand. knowing that this is what i’m like tears me apart, and i wonder who else shares this weakness. those who do not speak can expect no answer.
speculation about another person’s psyche is like taking random stabs in the dark. nothing’s clear in the murky haze of possibilities. i will not act on an incomplete or unsure thought; i will not act at all. i’ll simply watch until the light flickers on.
yet after receiving so many disapproving glares from other bystanders, i’m beginning to think i just really don’t understand people.
| Deviant Login | Shop | Join deviantART for FREE  |
Take the Tour  |
It's like, some of them are just narrow minded enough that there's always one sure decision, and one sure fire thing that /everyone/ would do and should do, and then there I am, with 20 thousand different reactions on hand, without a clue which one they're looking for!
I just want people to know I'd so lend a hand if I saw they really needed it - and wanted it.
I wanna be like "Hey, you're hinting at something, but I don't know what. Care to be a little more specific?"
I'm terrible at hinting at stuff though.
If you are not sure to lend a hand or stand idly by and wait, then do this; extend your hand and let them know it's there. They will make the right choice, to trust you and take the hand or to leave it where it hangs. But never ever stand idly by and watch. For the worst possible kind of evil anyone can commit, is to stand around and do nothing.