Misunderstood

"We think direct written and verbal communication is clear and accurate and efficient. It is none of those... Yes, there's a huge amount of information communicated via your affect, your style and your confidence, but no, I don't think humans are so good at getting all the details.

Plan on being misunderstood. Repeat yourself. When in doubt, repeat yourself."  --  Seth Godin

“Being misunderstood is a way of life for me. I have finally begun to understand, at this late stage in life, where the source of this persecution is rooted. I believe each of us that share this fate have been given the gift of insightfulness, vision, creativity, interpretation, and foresight. We mean well and seek to help people. But, rather than being perceived as someone who is supportive, encouraging, or even wise for that matter, we are ostracized, labeled nit-pickers, know-it-alls, judgmental, opinionated or critical.”

-- Selah TC, Experiment Project

The two authors above share two different perspectives on the same subject.  Both are correct.  Although Seth Godin has an excellent point worth considering, there's another principle at work. It's not enough to plan on misunderstandings. Some people have no interest in making amends no matter how much you repeat. If you misfire just once, it's enough for them to abandon ship.

I used to believe it was simple to love and be loved.  Once trust is established, I open myself like a book. I connect with others through the language of empathy and love. I sense what others want or need without them asking. Although everything I do revolves around growth and caring, misunderstandings nevertheless, cast their long dark shadow. What is especially annoying is when people withdraw without knowing why. I detest being left clueless as to what went wrong.  It creates a restless insecurity whether to risk revealing myself anew.

I sometimes question if living somewhere between imagination and reality sabotages me in some way? As a dreamer, I get carried away. As a highly sensitive person, I experience the emotional realm with hypervigilance. The possibility of a new friendship creates childlike euphoria. I let my guard down. Since my nature is figurative, exploratory and questioning, others may involuntarily find it threatening or may have unreasonalbe expectations pertaining to my empathetic personality.

There is one consolation I need to mention, dear reader. It's better to find out early where you stand than later. When the frivolous nature of humanity is unveiled, you learn to become more serene and less alarmed. And when you expect less, life surprises you with more...


-- Reflector