First of all when it comes to suffering of others, I consider that I do not understand all of their suffering because I cannot be inside of them, then I try to see if there is anything I can say or do that would be a positive influence to their situation.

Sometimes just an ear is good enough, sometimes a few words of encouragement go a long way, sometimes I have to point out that it appears they are their own worst enemy. It depends on the situation.

My offers of help are governed by what I can glean from the situation at hand.

I have to admit getting frustrated though when I am asked for advice and then they ignore it but I have to remember that it is their life journey, not mine and everyone has their own personal life journey unique of all others.

if one can be swayed, shaken, stirred, then it only shake loose what was not real true self.

i hear that dragoness....you can lead a horse to water but you sometimes want to push them in lol

i have realized (not that i always have it drilled in my head yet) that people won't help themselves until they want to.

it's spinning your wheels trying to help those that aren't ready to be helped. i know....i've been one of them

are there any beliefs out there that do a special ritual or ceremony (sorry if i'm using the wrong terms again)

If I can not help, I try and comfort in what ever way I can.

Perhaps that "cape" you speak of is all that ever stood between the all too well known pain of a constant struggle/strife to prevail and your TRUE super woman.

Yes actualy. Some people beleive that being down in the dumps or even suffering is a sign that you have an angry spirit following you and it needs to be removed. I dont remeber which religion it comes from, but it does sound like a pretty neat mental cure.

'I think there for I am' The possibilities of the human mind are astounding.

That struggle to prevail is more than just good intentions to rise up and overcome...

It is your tyrant.

oh trust me....i know i struggle lol. i have a big heart and i get frustrated when people can't see the forest through the trees. but i know that is my problem to work on. i've been used to being the strong one since i was 7 (after my dad died) i am pretty sure i put myself in that position after seeing my mom and sister crying and i didn't like seeing them sad. i really didn't understand death at all at the time. i didn't know anyone that died. i fully understand my part in my life....and know there are things to work on. life is a learning process....you never stop learning. but it's not just learning about others either....you have to learn about yourself as well.

this is why i like to learn about others....not only to understand who is sharing the earth with me but to learn about myself as well

i do apologize if i can't wrap my head around what people are saying at times....it's the pain killers lol

did you know leftover meatloaf can break a toe???? ok maybe it was the dish that did it lol

ok....this is an interesting topic (to me any way) about how to let things go that you can't do anything about

how do you do it? do you feel like if you do let it go then you failed some how?