Among Other Things

You’ve got ‘em, I’ve got ‘em, we’ve all got ‘em. Emotions and feelings.

 Perhaps the highest compliment one person can give to another is the ability to share feelings with one another.

 For instance, what would a writer do if he couldn’t share the feelings of people he was writing about? Or a columnist who can’t share his feelings with readers?

 If a writer couldn‘t “feel” the touch of God in a setting of alpine splendor, the rustle of leaves in the wind, the scent of pine on the cool fall air, the sound of a gurgling brook, or the “I’ve got ‘im” yell of an excited youngster as he hooks a scrappy fish. … If he couldn’t “feel” these things, how would he ever communicate effectively?

 This applies to almost any occupation and profession, too.  A teacher must be able to share students’ enthusiasm over accomplishments – and to sense their fears and frustration over failures.

 A doctor has to sense his patients’ anguish and worry over sickness and the impact on patients’ families. And the doctor certainly has to share with them their thankfulness for healing and recovery.

 A nurse or nurse’s aide must be a very special, caring type of person to communicate well with patients — some temporarily disabled, some wheelchair-bound, or permanently bedridden, others terminally ill.

 And how about a pastor? He or she must be a super-sensitive individual able to share with congregational members their triumphs and tragedies. A policeman, judge,  or lawyer all have to really care for people they deal with, some of them quite unlovable at the time of encounter.

 Add to the list countless other occupations – firemen, farmers, ranchers, undertakers, psychologists, psychiatrists, politicians, military personnel, employers, employees.

 Virtually everyone has feelings and emotions that need to be shared. So the next time you find yourself crying over someone’s misfortune, or weeping tears of joy of their good fortune, or your own appreciation of good news   . . . if you feel a tingle in the spine or a lump in your throat when the band strikes up the school fight song, the national anthem or when you watch the flag pass by – thank God for the ability you have to feel those emotions.  Don‘t be embarrassed or apologize. They’re signs that you really care. Care to share those emotions – yours and theirs.