Among Friends

[BlueFinch]

We do choose to suffer in silence, when we feel others could never understand the depth of our fears, grief, or pain. We can feel vulnerable, if not standing strong. In some ways it can be a shield of self protection.

I know, I've been there myself, dashing home to share my tears with only my dog. Handling it alone has never made me proud, just living the reality that only your closest will offer the kind of support needed. And, if you've lost them, you're on your own. So for some, facing battles have limited choices.  

[jubilant]

God knows and when He gives me the will to accept it, I may not feel proud of myself...

but just happy I made it through and proud to have had His help.

[willowbark]

Emotional trauma is a fact of life that everyone eventually faces.  No one can evade it whether they choose to wear their heart on their sleeve or live in isolation.  

If isolation is your definition of strength and valor so be it.  May peace be with you. 

[AngelPuppy1]

Yes, this is so true.  Others may think they know you, but really they don't know what you've experience or are currently going through. If we all learned to give grace to others, it woud really be a much kinder world.   

[rms1954]

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@manny2 wrote:

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@rms1954 wrote:

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@manny2 wrote:

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@rms1954 wrote:

Why would someone be proud of battles suffered in silence. Enduring pain and suffering is not a choice.

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This went right over your head. It’s not about choosing pain; it’s about surviving it with dignity. It also speaks to the guy you see in the grocery store, or the one who pumps your gas, maybe the woman you pass on the street. Someone who might seem fine on the outside but has suffered in ways you will never know. Just be kind.

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Still has nothing to do with pride.  Over my head or not ... i know first-hand about suffering inside with battles.  Not proud; it is what it is.  

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I guess you’ve never met the young man or woman who was abused as a child and, instead of letting that pain define them, chose to live life to the fullest. Or the mother who lost her child and, rather than doing what all of us would want to do, made their legacy matter instead. Pain is not a choice, it’s inevitable.  I meet people every day in the work that I do, and yes, they are proud. And they should be.

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I am that woman and I am that mother.  

[Zhills]

You are not celebrating the struggles!

You are

celebrating

having survived it! 

That is not easy to do alone!

[qvcaddition]

@manny2 

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@manny2 wrote:

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@rms1954 wrote:

Why would someone be proud of battles suffered in silence. Enduring pain and suffering is not a choice.

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This went right over your head. It’s not about choosing pain; it’s about surviving it with dignity. It also speaks to the guy you see in the grocery store, or the one who pumps your gas, maybe the woman you pass on the street. Someone who might seem fine on the outside but has suffered in ways you will never know. Just be kind.

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Amen, you get it.  People  in general don't want to hear your problems. Friends are there and know them and help if they can.