The world can seem like a much brighter place after a traumatic event. For me, that event was a ruptured brain aneurysm. When I got home from the hospital, everything seemed different. Colors were more vibrant, and the air felt fresher. But most of all, people were nicer to me. At first, I thought it was just my imagination. Maybe I was more willing to see the good in people after surviving such a scary experience.
But as time went on, it became clear that everyone really was being nicer to me. It was a strange feeling. On the one hand, I felt grateful for all the kindness and support I was receiving. But on the other hand, it made me feel like a bit of a joke. I mean, why should people be so nice to me just because I had an aneurysm? It seemed silly and almost embarrassing. One day, I mentioned this to my mom. I made a joke about how everyone was being so nice to me, and she looked at me with a mixture of amusement and concern. "I don't think that's something you should be ashamed of," she said. "People are being nice to you because they care about you. They're glad you're okay."
Her words were like a wake-up call. I realized that I had been focusing too much on my own feelings of discomfort and embarrassment, and not enough on the genuine concern and love that people were showing me. I started to appreciate the kindness more, and to thank people for it. In truth, I realized that my brain had been protecting me. It had shielded me from the harshness of the world while I was in the hospital and recovering at home.
But now that I was feeling better, I didn't need that protection anymore. I could see the world for what it was, with all its flaws and beauty. And you know what? The beauty far outweighs the flaws. I may have had a tough experience, but it has shown me that there is so much kindness and compassion out there. I have rarely met jerks, as strange as it may seem. Instead, I am surrounded by people who genuinely care about me and who want to see me thrive. So if you're ever in a situation where you feel like people are treating you differently because of something you went through, don't be embarrassed. Instead, embrace the love and support that's coming your way. It's a reminder that we're all in this together, and that kindness can make all the difference.