O is for oppressed as a person who may be filled with many worries. This could be someone going through a rough patch for more than just a period in his life. What if it is someone struggling for a longer time?   People at work for example,  may appear sympathetic at first but slowly, one by one they may distance themselves. Family and friends may also give less and less of their time to listen, encourage and just offer a presence. Or perhaps some may minimize the situation not really knowing what to say to “make it all go away”. First of all,  it is not in “others’” power to make it go away but it might be nice to show some compassion.

(troiku)

oppressed
off-putting
on cloud nine

oppressed
feelings of dread
weigh one down

off-putting
look of suffering
can scare one away

on cloud nine
that distant look
hard to read

Imagine a person being shunned because you feel uncomfortable being around doom and gloom. Is it not enough that they are already feeling fraught with worry? What if it is not just a situational issue but a chronic emotional and mental instability they are going through? What if all they need is to feel accepted? What if they cannot even accept themselves or their “perhaps” new circumstance they have no choice but to endure?

I thought this might be something to think about. You know, the next time you tell a colleague something as benign as “Hi! How, how are you?” If you really don’t want to know and you have been seeing their sad face every day for a long time…think twice before adding “How are you?” if you really don’t care to know. A simple “Hi!” and a smile can go a long way too. Be genuine when you say something. Try to think twice when you walk into your workplace and look a person in the eyes when you say that “Hi!”