when consolation is the sole intention of the consoler then they act in a benevolent manner, and the single minded ‘helper’ seeks only to help without discriminating between varying states of vitality. i have no doubt that an act of indifference or cruelty could be found in an attempt to alleviate sorrow, however, these would be consolations with one or more additional goals – thus straying from the unconditional into the realm of some selfcentered aspect. i cannot think of a case in which those statements could be disproven.

consolation, by itself, is totally kind. as i see it.

i realize that possibly ‘consolations are for the half alive’ is in fact some ancestral axiom (and if so, it would be doubly odd if the statement comforted you) and that by placing it under scrutiny i did not seek to offend.

i like the statement. it made me think.
i thought it odd.

thank you for writing. i hope the responding process wasn’t too unappealing.

I did indeed make a big general statement. I feel okay with that, and even better that someone else felt moved to disagree. Thanks for your back and forth!
Lisa

i possibly spend more time with dictionaries than consoling types, so all I have to work with is a definition – opening new window, typing, PERFECT consolation : that which consoles; a comfort. EXAMPLE: Your kindness was a consolation to me in my grief.

perhaps : “that specific consolation, saying this beats that, doesn’t amount to much – and is for the half alive”. but not the entirety of the communications which fall under the catagory of imparted solace.

I mean dang, I need consolation, as of late I need it FREQUENTLY, and I occasionally suffer much more greatly without it – and in my suffering, I’m really really fucking ALIVE, completely one hundred percent every sorrowful cell SCREAMING alive, you know? and not consolation so that i can find hope – consolation so i can know that no matter what, someone has my back, i won’t have to face the ‘dark tea time of the soul’ alone. KNOWWHATIMEAN?

so i say : consolations are from the kind, for the presumably in need. and resisting them is like resisting an attempt at kindness instead of understanding kindness.

anywhoo. thanks Hannaaah. what does this Lisa think? hallo? LISA? response?

What an odd statement. I’ve always thought consolation, when received openly and without disdain (some abhor sympathy, adopting the mantra ‘don’t feel sorry for me’, a highly respectable point of view as it seems to me), exists within the behavior bubble of kindness.

and how I love to test someones kindness. drawing inspiration from Augustus Caeser, who dressed himself in beggars robes to observe his subjects without the dishonesty of the petty and cowardly, those seeking only to benefit, a curse frequently faced by the socially elevated, I occasionally pretend to struggle, locked in battle with some unseen demon, staggering and wounded, bleeding night and day, (perhaps I overdo it a bit… ) only to see how my peers treat me. the majority do not meet my basic expectations. zero mercy, zero consolation. rarely even a question – illegitimate assumptions manifest, the most convenient label stamped upon my brow like the mark of Caine, and eventually I find myself shamed rejected and forgotten. “what a loser.”

and I smile in smug satisfaction.
who lost? who misses out?

I sometimes wish I could ask someone “Are you kind?” and expect an honest and undiluted answer. Well, no sense in wishing, I sort of can: the recognition lies in the eyes, and defies any explanation.

anyways. Cool story.