If I were hungry, you would not give me sympathy. Sympathy would not nourish me. Instead, you would give me food. But in the long run, I must learn to feed myself.

If I were naked, you would not give me sympathy. Sympathy would not clothe me. Instead, you would give me clothes. But in the long run, I must learn to clothe myself.

If I were bleeding, you would not give me sympathy. Sympathy would not heal my wounds. Instead, you would clean and dress my wounds, and summon medical assistance if necessary. But in the long run, I must learn to avoid injury when possible, and to clean and dress my own wounds. I must also learn when to summon medical assistance on my own, if I am physically able.

So why the fuck do people think that sympathy is the appropriate response to emotional wounds? Why do people tell me that it is all right to avoid the things that will heal my wounds, simply because healing is so hard? Better that you give my your pity openly, so that your own ugliness is visible, and I will know the danger that you represent.

If I am bleeding emotionally, I want your empathy, your acceptance. I want to know that I am not alone in searching for personal truth. I want to know your story, and I will share mine in return. In that way, we can search together.

Of course, on talk.bizarre, if I were naked, you'd take advantage of me. I'd expect nothing less, and I'll take my own precautions. But sympathy has no place, here, or elsewhere.