I am starting to become disillusioned. I'm not very old, just slower and more thoughtful. And I am beginning to think that insight is not a virtue. Please, please spare me any more of it. I see things I don't want to see. I don't see dead people, but I do see the core of individuals in ways far more accurately than I once did; an occupational hazard. I really wish I could see the good in everyone and not see their faults. But I am entrusted by them to do just that and to help them deal with it.
I know this will likely sound crazy or perhaps narcissistic to some, but here goes: I can actually sit for a very short time, paying close attention to face and body and a bit of what they say and I can tell a ton about them. I mean even down to very personal stuff they have yet to reveal and may never. I have tested myself on this. It's a bit scary. I think this is what is done by "mindreaders." It's really just observational interpersonal hypersensitivity (I made that term up).
The question for me is: what should I do about what I know?
I know this will likely sound crazy or perhaps narcissistic to some, but here goes: I can actually sit for a very short time, paying close attention to face and body and a bit of what they say and I can tell a ton about them. I mean even down to very personal stuff they have yet to reveal and may never. I have tested myself on this. It's a bit scary. I think this is what is done by "mindreaders." It's really just observational interpersonal hypersensitivity (I made that term up).
The question for me is: what should I do about what I know?
What to do with this knowledge: use it on behalf of others.
ReplyDeleteYes! But I am continually haunted by my day-today interactiions and what I see in those around me.
DeleteI can certainly understand the burden of what you call "observational interpersonal hypersensitivity." Likely you are an empath.
DeleteThere is a character in the Eragon series that was "blessed" with the ability to feel other peoples pain. The mistake in her "blessing" was that she couldn't turn it off and became severely depressed.
ReplyDeleteThat sounds true to life, Josh. Feeling one's own pain is challenging enough. To experience everyone else's would be devastating.
DeleteIn the original StarTrek series, there was an episode with a race of people, exemplified by a single female, called "Empaths." She suffered a similar fate, and I wonder where the writers came up with the story line.
ReplyDeleteAnd in the updated series Mirina Sirtis played Counselo
ReplyDeleter Troy who was an empath and this issue of "knowing too much" was repeated.