Well, your right about not stepping on someones toes by assuming you know their personal need and even struggle. And I do agree with you about that hallmark post, but at the very least it can provide simple acknowledgement of a struggle. And I know for myself, when I first came to PC and was really struggling, that hug or seeing my name in a virtual hug symbol, meant a real lot to me.

Whenever I address someone else with a different issue I basically talk about the struggle itself and I explain that I too struggle and here is how I have come to a healing process. And I am honest about the fact that I may not know the specifics of how their personal issue presents a specific difficulty for them. However if I had access to a book that was full of different people and how they deal with their disorders and what it means to them personally, perhaps I could assist that person better. When addressing another person who is suffering, VALIDATION is a very important part of healing.

And come to think of it Ygrec23, you may not know on a personal level what I deal with as I don't really know what you deal with on a personal level but I really enjoy our interactions and you have helped me. And I feel I have recognized you in ways that have encouraged you as well.

If anything the one area that can prove to be very helpful is giving another person who struggles, RESPECT. And if we are more informed of that personal struggle, that may help us to do that. And it has been proven as we have become more aware of AIDs and other issues that have plagued mankind, knowledge and knowing how those individuals struggle and feel, well, we can find better ways to respect them and support them.

Open Eyes