Things to be Grateful For #11

There exists a peculiar anxiety, almost theatrical in its complexity, in those moments when one becomes aware that a third person is listening (or eavesdropping). Someone whose presence we secretly desire, hoping they might overhear certain carefully selected truths about ourselves. And yet, as our immediate companion continues speaking (unaware of this hidden audience), they begin to venture into territories we had not anticipated, revealing details we would never have chosen to share, and suddenly we’re caught in a terrible paralysis. We must continue to listen, nod, respond as though nothing has changed, all while our mind races ahead, processing what the eavesdropper is absorbing, what conclusions they are drawing, knowing we cannot interrupt. To stop the speaker now would be to betray the eavesdropper’s presence; to let them continue is to surrender control over our own (beloved) narrative.

So we remain suspended in this tension, belonging fully to neither conversation. Sigh!

I’m not sure if everyone would find this something to be grateful for, but it’s surely funny enough to recall after a long time and laugh at ourselves.