As I have likely mentioned, I often find myself listening to people’s life stories. I think countless people the world over feel abandoned and alienated. They interact with people all day every day, but no one really listens. I listen. I don’t judge, and I am actually interested in what people have to say. I view this as a form of useful service.
I was listening to this guy tell me his life story the other day–the infidelities, the four marriages, the financial troubles, etc.–and it occurred to me when he told me his father beat his mother, regularly, that at 60 years of age he is still carrying scars he can’t see or name from 50 or 55 or even 59 years ago. He is making do as well as he can, but unseen forces are pushing him all day every day in directions that on balance tend not to be helpful. To his credit, he is pushing back.
Look at an average street or average mall. It is filled with people like that.
Ponder this.