Feeling useful

[vaneramos]

From March 1: a backwards glance at winter along the Eramosa River


This has been an interesting week. I had the experience on Sunday, best described as heart-warming, of having a new acquaintance come out to me. He is roughly my age, bisexual, and until now had only told two or three therapists, so I was the first non-professional. He went on this week to tell a colleague, the relative he lives with, and other significant people, all with surprisingly positive responses. I saw him in person this afternoon and he was glowing as I had never seen before. This is a man who is, like me, painfully shy, so it was a delight to see indications of exuberance.

To be able to be there for someone, to seem approachable in a world that is frequently hostile, means more to me and makes me feel successful as a human being in a way that outweighs all inadequacies and failures. In fact another party commented in front of me today, "Van is good to talk to." I don't have many answers, but do so love to empathize, and sometimes that's the only answer a friend is looking for.

Combining this with recent powers of concentration for creative endeavour, I feel full and rich.

Comments

[grandiva1968.livejournal.com]

*HUGS*

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

Those are always welcome.

[grandiva1968.livejournal.com]

I'm glad.

[missprune.livejournal.com]

I've recently been feeling that being useful to other people is just about the only thing worth doing and being. Yay for you, well done.

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

That's an interesting point to chew on. It brings me back to the question, is art useful?

[tbone1961.livejournal.com]

this says a great deal about how this person trusts you!!!

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

Thank you. Also about his need to express himself, I think.

[quirkstreet.livejournal.com]

You are more special than words can convey, but these words you wrote about how others see and trust you get a start on it.

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

And you are especially sweet. :-)

[daisydumont.livejournal.com]

it is a warm feeling when someone trusts us that much. best wishes to your friend as he comes out.

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

Yes, trust is a special thing, and I hope my friendship proves worthy of it in the long run.

[bear-left.livejournal.com]

I'll echo what's posted above & say how wonderfully this speaks of you - do savor that as best you can!

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

Thank you, I will.

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

The feeling doesn't come easily, I know. But you are.

[grandiva1968.livejournal.com]

I dunno, that userpic is doing nice things for me…