Mine and Mine Alone

[ecstaticlght]

It should have been obvious, but it has taken me almost a year to understand a fundamental barrier between myself and those that I socialize with here in Oklahoma. I had and continue to have as a result of the connections and friendships I made in Haiti experiences that most of the people here can not connect with

Comments

[heatherp8]

I wish I had the right words...
But know this: the good you did means something.
I'm so sorry for the bad things but hopefully somehow, in the long run, the good has to balance it in the larger picture.
*hugs*

[ecstaticlght]

It is a learning experience, in how I relate to others. Getting older is not helping!

[ar_wahan]

Those stories are heartbreaking and eye-opening.

[ecstaticlght]

Thank you for saying they are "eye opening". That is really a purpose for many of us that go to these small countries. We need people to know of our experiences and the role of the global community. It isn't all good that goes in under the guise of "helping".

[grltalk]

We are all an amalgamation of our experiences.
I'm sorry for your losses.

[ecstaticlght]

We are. We are. Understanding that and living that are different and I'm just now learning that.

[yeoww]

I've typed and deleted, typed and deleted.

I come from the vantage point of having recently become a voice in my community for those who are affected by mental illness, and having to learn how to talk differently to different people. I'm not always very good at it. I've learned that when people don't understand what we've experienced we sometimes are gifted with the opportunity to teach and to practice reaching different kinds of people more - effectively? Can't think of the right word here so obviously I need to do more work! :-)

[ecstaticlght]

Effectively can be a good way to put it, but that is even a little more formal than where I'm at. It is a matter of being able to communicate at a social level with those we live and play with at home. I'm watching some more people head home after a long haul and am witnessing them either, avoid the whole issue by hitting the road for a long playtime vakay, or choosing to settle back at the home points, where they go into a recovery mode. They become quiet, possibly a little withdrawn, still watching everything that comes across their social media networks about our organization and our people. HC is our family, in a way that I've never experienced before, which means they are in the same boat. I'm not sure a year from now that they'll be able to communicate well either. "Effective" reminds me of a business world....I don't have a good idea for another word either.

[yeoww]

Yeah, "effective" was too buzz-wordy and formal for me too, but I couldn't think of a better word :-(