There are so many people out there who never consider nuance. I've said over and over, that most everything is painted with shades of gray and we all exist on a scale where we evolve from hour to hour, and day to day.

Somebody once said "everybody want's to go to Heaven, but no one wants to die to get there." It's interesting to contemplate the faces we present to others around us. For my entire life, I've been told I have a "good heart." However, underneath this good heart, is something else that most people never know about, and would be surprised if they did know. I've turned what should be a bitter cup into a sweet one, but the echoes remain. So I can understand the winds that might buffer a person, very well.

Yes, I guess I was born with a bit more empathy than others, but much of that came from a lot of pain, such that empathy becomes even more precious when it's denied to you. Example: If someone locked you in a box and reduced your air supply, each breath you take afterwards, will mean that much more, and never be taken for granted.

The other thing your post made me think about, is access to information. Alex Haley, the author of Roots once said: "When an old person dies, it's like a library burning." When we distance ourselves from unconventional people, we also cut ourselves off from information and learned experiences. You can't learn anything if you're not listening. Some of my most important life lessons were gleaned from people such as these. Excellent post. Please keep sharing.