Love Exchanged For Understanding

The most difficult people are those who are unable to hear the message you bring to them.

Some only hear what they have come to expect of others and rarely anticipate a differing perspective; therefore, they sell their self and everyone else short.

Some hear only the sound of their well rehearsed voice. For those types, life is neatly stored in compartments of their experience, nothing left to question, no answers to be sought.

There are those who hear with their eyes and what cannot be seen simply does not exist.

My heart mourns the loss of their audience, for on the best of days, they are handicapped. I've spent my life attempting to understand; with my eyes closed I've even heard the heartbeat of those near me and with my eyes fixed, I've heard the powerful message of their body language.  With speech I provoke thought in order to dredge up any understanding available to me.

Understanding, the most precious neccessity of empathy, is what I've thirsted for.  Without empathy, I have no purpose to live.  Love, the most precious gift is lost on those who are steeped in self-indulgent apathy.  In the company of such people, I spend love foolishly for they suspect those bearing gifts for the souls refinement just as they forget boxed presents from years gone by.

Yet I spend my love on them until I come to some kind of understanding; and so it is with me, the foolish spender of love, daring to love those with pat responses and preconceived notions.  My heart grieves, for I am not saint. I'm merely spending what I have plenty of-love.

By Chelle Stockman