The social media pop psychologists are out in full force. The self-righteous self-helpers offer unsolicited words with only one purpose --- to give themselves a superior sense of self. Lacking even a single request, they offer their self-aggrandizing wisdom -
To those they have never met.
To those they do not know.
To those they do not, and never will, understand.
For many to whom these soulless and heartless messages of tough love are intended, it is only another assault on lives that have undergone repeated trauma. The platitudes are given without care or compassion, sympathy or empathy. They assail the damaged with as much ferocity as the biggest bully on the playground assaults the most innocent.
What these self-anointed purveyors of pseudo-truth don't want to get, is that for many, the issues aren't an unwillingness, or inaction, to change. For those folks, the damage is done by repetitive onslaughts upon their hearts, their minds, their souls, upon their very beings. They pick themselves up, only to begin the process anew. Each time they are both a bit stronger, and a bit weaker. More often than the wannabe gurus will ever know, or admit, the weaker points overwhelm the stronger and eventually the person has no choice but to go from damaged to broken.
It took until my 50th year to fully grasp one simple truth --- Not all will conquer that which afflicts them! It is not for a lack of will-power, willingness, strength or effort, no, it is because they are overwhelmed, the damage becomes too much and they have no choice --- they simply break.
We can not determine what will damage and break others, because what may not damage us, may break them. It is why I write The Damaged and Broken Stories. It took many years to learn, that for every one person who overcomes their demons, there are hundreds, if not thousands, who do not. Instead of self-righteous condemnation, perhaps, without judgement, we can show compassion and offer help in lieu of empty hope to our fellow human beings.
“Who am I?”
I am an independent, self-published teller of tales. I am an author of scarcely any renown. However, as a storyteller, I know who I am, and with that persona, I am both confident and comfortable. I invite you to visit my website, ShortStoryScribe.com and/or Amazon Author Page, if you are so inclined please purchase a copy and leave a review.
Thank you,
Joe
amazon.com/author/docjoeleonardi