🪷When someone tells you, "I'm in pain," believe them

A poem to those who tell my friends things like, "Get over it"

When someone tells you, “I’m in pain,”
    believe them. You don't know
what it's like inside their heads.
    Please keep assumptions stowed.

Maybe you're scared of being blamed
     or being asked for help.
Slow down, come back, just listen.
    Can you remember how it felt

when you were hurting--scared--alone?
    Others feel that, too,
even if you think their lives look fine.
    You don't live in their shoes.
   
Even if no one ever gave you 
   kindness in your hurt,
you can break that cycle.
   That's how you change the world.

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My dog and cat communicating