wouldn't it

wouldn't it make life easier if we could just somehow channel the energy of another being into our own bodies, and see and feel and endure for them, just for a bit? i mean, truly, why can't we do this? wouldn't it stop any sort of conflict- i'm talking world wars here, and also a simple turn-taking dispute- in its tracks? wouldn't we be just exactly the kind of people and the kind of place that many of us are striving to be? and for those of us who aren't-- well, wouldn't it convince them?

you see, i don't understand that if we were meant for harmony and connection and if we are meant to take care of each other, wouldn't this be the answer?

but, but it isn't. 

is it because connection and harmony would have no meaning if we knew nothing different? is it because connection and harmony are a path, not a place?

maybe it's because we all have pain. and we all endure it. and there is no need to endure others' pain- it wouldn't change the "amount" of pain in the world. maybe it's because taking someone else's pain away lessens our belief in them and our perception of their strength. maybe it's because it's frankly quite conceited to think we could handle pain better than anyone else. maybe it's because pain comes in waves. it reaches you, and it drags you down, sometimes only for a little while, other times for longer. but it reaches everyone. every. one. and when we're not in it, it's OK. we aren't supposed to be. we can wait our turn. in fact, we want to wait our turn.

maybe it's because we learn more about connection and harmony, and taking care when we sit by someone's pain than when we take it. 

............................................................

i'm sitting by you, sweet, sweet friend. and i am not going anywhere.