Indifference

 I might be in a room with a group of people and I hear someone, maybe a stranger to me, talk about their present misery, their deflated life.  I think, “Boy I am glad that is not me anymore.”  Or, “This is a good reminder for me to keep doing whatever practice I have to avoid misery.”  OK.  I was helped by listening.  After the meeting, I have a choice:  go up to the person, or leave, or talk to buddies.  Indifference is a big loadstone in the way of growing up.  Pope Francis says it is the world’s biggest problem.  So I go up to that person and introduce myself and try to say something helpful.  Even if I feel helpless to that person, I have avoided my indifference.