Marcus had a morning practice: he'd remind himself he would meet ungrateful, rude, and selfish people that day, and that they act this way because they can't see better, not because they're sent to ruin him. This isn't passive. It's a way to keep his own peace from being handed to others. People rarely wake up wanting to be cruel; they're often tired, scared, or stuck. Seeing that doesn't excuse harm, but it loosens its grip on you. You can hold a boundary and still not let someone's worst moment become your worst moment. Today, when someone is sharp with you, try to see the human under it.

Inspired by the old idea of sympatheia. Written by Ugo Charles.