Stories Galore

We all have a story to tell; a story so unique that the events can only be experienced by you. I am not sure of others, but every time I walk by houses with the lights on seen through their half-drawn blinds allowing for a partial glimpse the TV show playing in the house with an isolated couch, my curious mind runs on overtime, building up stories. Look around you - the number or people, the lives being lived, the lives lived and  the lives that will be lived, and the possibilities of stories seem infinite.

We humans are fascinating. We are resillient, stupid, loving and cruel all at the same time. To think of it, all that we feel is all that we are. Feel anger, love, judgment, or feel fear, you are what you think and perceive.The best part is that no one can make us feel small without our permission.  I have learnt the hard way — in fact I am still learning. 

One big part of my job is meeting people and being privy to their lives. Some tragic, some insipirational and just some that you can relate to. I am privileged to meet the people on the streets, living off welfare, meeting people with money and most of the time, people who are what we call the struggling middle class. I have learnt not to judge, to show kindness and even if someone is reeking in weed, or having a body odour from not taking a bath for days, or smelling of urine — and I am not talking about small kids — it is okay and everyone has a story. 

I get to meet not just the cynical middle aged people that I can relate to, but also the young hopefuls, bright, confused and anxious about stepping  into the big bad world. People in different life stages,a nonagenarian having lived the life to the fullest struggling with a decaying body, or the young expectant parents eagerly waiting to take on new responsibilities.  People who have lost their jobs, changed careers (like from a nurse to a mortician), people who have lost loved ones, some of natural course of events, some tragically young.  

One thing that has stuck with me is that no matter what your financial status, no matter what life stage you are in, we all have the same aspirations. We all want to be loved, to be treated with kindness and most importantly with respect. We all want the human connection. There are some who in a short two minute talk can leave a long lasting impression, or some who without saying a word can belittle you. The former you cherish and the latter teaches you tolerance and forgiveness.