QOTD

[redbird]

I understand that people want to comfort the afflicted. I understand that people want to make it better. "I love you" is a good way to do that. "You are welcome in my home and to my family," is another good one. "If you need money, please don't hesitate to ask" is pretty useful too.

"Everything happens for a reason?" Not so much. — Jon Carroll

Comments

[nancylebov.livejournal.com]

I pretty much feel the way Jon Carroll does, but sometimes people say "everything happens for a reason" to themselves, and they seem to find it comforting. I suspect mileage varies.

My only recommendation is to only try to do metaphysical comfort for people if you already know their metaphysics.

[firecat]

well said

[callunav.livejournal.com]

There's just a million things people say to themselves that they don't want to hear from someone else. ("I should never have come here," "I like how I look, but she's just stunning," "I did the best I could," "I hope someday I can be as good at this as he is," etc.). I think this definitely goes on the list.