Open Up

It's interesting who we choose to open up to. Sometimes it's someone you've gotten really close to, or it's whoever's there when you can't hold it in any longer, or it's everyone you meet. Some people are just like that, they open up to everyone. But most people are a little more reserved. They only really talk about themselves, truly, to their close friends. Some people drop hints every now and then, if there's something they want to get off their chest but can't bring up. Those are the people I wish I could help. Everyone says that they're there for people, but when do you discuss things that are for private conversations only? Sometimes you have to go and talk to them if you want to be the person that helps them. The person they get help from isn't the one who waited for them to come around and ask for it. The best help, from friends, is unsolicited. 

But what I find fascinating is when we open up to whoever is there. There are people who bottle most everything inside, and sometimes it's too much. They say those little hints, and no one gets them because we're naturally self centered, so when they eventually burst who knows who's going to hear it and what they'll hear. I've seen it when people talk to me. As humans, many of us feel the need to share with someone. Most people want something from it. It's not enough just to tell them, they have to listen. To care. Everyone wants to be cared about, on some level. So in a way that's the reason behind sharing with "strangers", because the more people you tell, the more likely they are to care, right? The only way to remedy this is to be the person that cares. Listen to other people and try to understand them. Approach them, talk to them, and be their friend. Of course, you should probably know them pretty well first, or else this won't work. You have to give to get. If people made more of an effort to listen, then people would all get turns to speak. So when it's your turn to share, take it, and make sure you deserve it. If you've never actually listened to them, why should they care about you?

"Today for you, tomorrow for me." -Angel in Rent