"THE CONCEALED AND THE REVEALED" in "SHORTS"

It’s amazing how one can actually show so much by saying so little. Even when they try their hardest to be all-mysterious, there are still some dead giveaways.

Some of us choose to conceal how we truly feel inside. We try our hardest not to talk about whatever it is that’s been bothering us lately. We pretend that everything’s okay and will always be.

We’d like to believe that we’re always fine. Unfortunately, that’s not how life works. There are times when we must admit – even to just ourselves and God above – that we’re not.

Ironically, no matter how hard we try to hide it, sometimes we end up revealing more than we’d like to believe. We may not say much, but what we do can often show the exact opposite.
You know what they say. Actions speak louder than words.

Sometimes you don’t have to say it out loud, expressing just how much you’re hurt. People, especially your closed ones, can see that from what you do.

You don’t always have to frown all the time to show how sad you are. Even when you smile, your eyes sometimes tell a different story. Some people can see it.

There’s a strain in your smile. There are other things that you subconsciously do. The signs are subtle but they still show.

It’s also your social media presence. It’s the photos you choose to keep and delete. It’s the suspicious wording in your captions. Need me to say more? What if when you’re usually cheerful and into bright-colored outfits, then you suddenly wear something dark?

Not only that, though. Out of the blue and quite abrupt, you choose more ballads to sing and listen to these days. You sing really sad songs. The tone of your voice is a dead giveaway to those sensitive enough.

There’s heartbreak in it. It’s as loud and clear as a crack in the sky, right before a thunder rumbles…

I know I sound like a scary observer. I’m sorry, for I do not wish to frighten you this way. I’m not a creepy stalker, but I won’t blame you if you think I’m a weirdo.

I don’t know why I sometimes pick up on people’s feelings all so easily. I even do that with people I barely know and random strangers. How? Good question.

I thought I’d lost this ability for good long ago. Sometimes between 2017 – 2018, the loss had created a large, gaping black hole inside of me. I’d become hollow, walking around like a zombie. Thankfully, I never consider eating my own kind an option.

I’d lived at that time, but been barely living. The only time I’d been really happy was when I’d gotten to one of the ‘sanctuaries’ on earth. My two best friends had been there too.

Now, that weird ability has returned. I know we barely know each other. This is why I choose not to push nor pry. I don’t want to scare you with what I might possibly suspect.

Still, I’m around this digital neighborhood. I’m not nosy, despite my cat-like curiosity. I’m not even going to ask you what’s happened – or why you seem rather sad lately.

I’m just hoping that you’re alright – or that you’ll find your way to be that way again.

Why? Why does it matter to me that you’re okay? I don’t know. Maybe you’re right. Someone like me is pretty rare, despite not being the one and only.

These are the times we all need to be much kinder to each other. I know I don’t get any financial benefits by doing this, from any of these strange feelings.

I used to doubt my own feelings, thanks to this narcissist I’d once gotten myself emotionally-involved with. I’d read him wrong and somehow gotten myself in some serious trouble.

Now that’s in the past. I think I can say that I’m glad. This strange ability is back.

This time, I believe that I’m not wrong. There’s something good about you too. I can feel it. Your energy feels strong, yet non-threatening. Somehow, you’re a force to be reckoned with.
The world needs kinder souls – and you’re just one of them. Keep on shining.

R.