Strolling along the beach I was accosted by a woman, smoke sparking from her ears. As a loner I’m used to such intrusions, fully aware that this would be a one-sided tirade. A spewing of her woes to a complete stranger, her family and friends long since burnt by her toxic vitriol.
Her horrid neighbour, the injustices, the noise, they lived too close, no privacy or room to move … you get the drift. Her constant drone washed over me in waves. I’ve developed the ability to half-listen knowing that this is more tainted by dark hatred then light love. This skill allows me to intercede with the odd inane comment or question often trampled over as the lava pours forth unchecked, my presence quite irrelevant to the process.
Forty minutes later as we approached the car park she suddenly realised that I was still walking beside her, still listening. As an afterthought she suddenly included me by asking “but you don’t know my neighbourhood do you?” I can’t lie, so I confessed that I had been a neighbour living further up the same street but never turned into her estate.
More than a year later I finally visited her estate and my tour highlighted that every house stands on 2-5 acres. Hardly on top of each other as she had led me to believe. So I can only conclude that, when blighted by such loathing, the fact that the culprit simply lives and breathes causes too much pain.
Every encounter teaches me something so I will always listen but that doesn’t mean I agree. Tolerance, love and gratitude are such a blessing … I pray that we all learn their true value for peace and contentment to lighten our loads, to flood our lives with warm sunshine!
aroused 
“Every encounter teaches me something so I will always listen but that doesn’t mean I agree”.. this is so true Kate. I too make sure to listen but doesn’t always follow that i agreee.
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Kate, your approach allowed you to listen without stepping into this woman’s mess.
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this kind of encounter has been regular throughout my life Richard, I learnt at a very young age not to buy into others problems and let’s face it many just like the drama of it all 🙂
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All of us are not equipped to help everyone we come across. But carrying so much dislike/hatred is detrimental to mental as well as physical health. Venting can at times be healing. But some people do it constantly and it becomes a way of life for them. Poor souls!
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Kate you are so kind and compassionate and that is the spirit to not get perturbed by some rude people. Such a profound post and loved the picture too.
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You were very kind to listen to that woman as she ranted, even if you were wise enough not to give her your full attention. That protected you, and also let her vent. I hope that she is able to let go of her anger someday, because that’s no way to live. I think some people have so much aggression and anger in them and they are just looking for a target for it. Far better to figure out where that negativity is coming from and to try to heal…….
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very well said Ann, I pray many read your comment and take heed … that agro can only bring harm to self and others!
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Listening to people is healing them. This is great that you heard her till the end. Super cool of you. All we want is to be heard. You are a healer.
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heard and believed Kritika, if you remember those you will become a great healer!
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Amen.. I agree with Paul. It’s hard to attain as many a times people want someone to listen without being judged. You are a kind soul Kate.
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Yes, the ability to listen without judgement, and without attachment, wonderful.
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thanks Paul, a skill you’ve no doubt perfected!
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Getting there Kate, several relapses recently when I read the headlines, but yes letting go has been part of my learning, as have you too 😊
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Listening is an excellent therapy for the psychologically ill, Kate
Love ❤
Michel
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She limits herself so much by her feelings of oppression…but you are a good and wise listener. (K)
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Some people just vent for the sake of venting. Maybe it gives them relief, but it doesn’t negate the effect of their negativity
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Yes, so true!
I often think about the fact that we listen and we either learn…or by listening we teach the other person, who is talking, that they can’t say “no one ever listens to me”! ’cause we just did! 😉
You are a brilliant shining example, SweetKate, of kindness, forbearance, and wisdom!
(((HUGS))) 🙂
☮❤️☮ ❤️☮
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thanks kind friend, I am getting rather embarrassed by all this praise, the post is supposed to be drawing attention to the harms of negative speech and self-absorption …
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You were exceptionally tolerant and kind, Kate … and I wonder if she realised that, or whether she was too preoccupied shadow boxing with her own imagined issues …
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totally self-absorbed Ivor, she even forgot I was there until we approached the car park.
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Some people are strange Kate
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Amen. You’ve a kind and generous heart Kate.
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Kate I’m sad that you were the recipient of her negativity. Some people are only happy when they have something to complain about!! And the more privileged the more the complaints!!
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like water off a duck’s back to me Val, when a total stranger approaches me on a beach walk it’s usually to have a whinge … you could be right about that correlation!
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That poor woman. What a way to live your life full of bile and hatred of life in general
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exactly Brian, I’m sure it will eventually manifest in physical health issues … much healthier to avoid if one cannot find any way to make peace …
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