Compassionate Listener Gifts

Homeless woman living in a box

'I'm going to put you in touch with reality.', 'Can't I just sneak up on it?'

Senior Thoughts (you should ignore)

Don't tell me you're ok! You're not ok! I can smell the hurt inside you! Don't walk away! Talk to me! Beware of Emotional Support Dog.

"Officer, I'd like to report... a sexual assault. I was at a part, this guy... he attacked me."

"Everybody wants to tell me their problems, but they aren't the least bit interested in my problems."

"My gut instinct was to say yes...but years in social work have shown me how these things end up working out!"

'I'm not unsympathetic, but there's just not much we can do for people who run away from college.'

"Economists call it a recession, but for those laid off and unable to find work...it's a Great Depression!"

Although he knew they couldn't see it, Frank was painfully aware of his growing mental health issue.

Prejudice/Empathy

Pet Shop - Parrot labeled as 'Good Listener'

Cares and woes.

"We'll less than two metres again, don't know where, don't know when..."

"Don't judge me until you've walked a mile on my medication."

"I pick up on people's pain, Alexander. What's wrong?"

"No, those people aren't anorexic. Those people are starving."

"I feel your pain...At home in Europe I also work 14 hours a day in my factory..."

"Thanks, I knew I could count on you to turn my problem into something way worse that happened to you."

'I'm freezing...The rich list is a little thin this year.'

'I have this constant ringing in my ears. I think I have tinnitus.' - 'Does it sound like an 'eeeeeee' or a 'shhhhh'?' - 'It's like the murmer of a thousand forgotten souls quietly lamenting past sorrows.' - 'Hmmm. I don't have a checkbox for that, sadly.

"I've found my voice, Penny. It's deep, wise, and compassionate."

'She saw right through me.'

"Doctor, I find you very easy to talk to."

No safe haven

'I don't think you're trying hard enough to look at things from the sinner's perspective, Reverend.'

'I don't know how you stand listening to people's problems all of the time, Doctor Barnes.'

Immigrating to the City

"Luckily the days are long gone when we just labeled people as "mad"'

'OK, nod a little slower this time. Then let's work on saying 'mm-hmm, go on' ...you try it.'

4th of July and PTSD

'It's such a nice day. Why don't you go outside and tease another girl until she develops an eating disorder.'

'Yes, puberty did put me through a lot of stress. . . but it was my daughters puberty.'

"Oh, hello darling..."

Beaten up man to Good Samaritan: 'Thank you. My insurance doesn't cover roadside service.'