How difficult it is to watch events unfold not according to the scenario you imagined.

Even harder to realize that you have no power to change them.

 

How painful it is to see anger in the eyes from which you expected only love.

How unexpected disappointment can be where you hoped for support.

 

Where does all of this come from?

These collapses of joyful moments.

 

Just a second ago, you were counting on friendly approval —

and now sharp curses, ugly insults, and impossible reproaches are flying toward you.

 

Those who know this feeling will immediately recognize that numbness of the soul —

a soul ready for an embrace,

yet met instead with flames of hatred.

 

When a daughter waits for approval of her choice,

but her mother reproaches her for being different, for not fitting her standards.

 

When a father asks for support in an argument,

and the son becomes an even stronger antagonist,

driving a knife into his back.

 

— What should we do? How can we help? How can we overcome this wall of fire and hatred?

 

She looked at the listeners in the classroom and allowed a long pause.

She knew that each of them was ready to do anything for the reign of peace and love among people.

But now they had to accept an unusual logic.

 

A quiet voice:

 

— I do not know for certain. But given our laws, we cannot influence human actions. We can only support and guard the one we have accepted. Our task is not to confront directly, but to illuminate the path toward peace.

 

— Very well said. Our strength lies in support and in revealing possibilities. We do not take people by the hand — therefore they do not resist us. We do not tell them what to do — therefore they do not argue with us. We respect their choice and support it so that they take the step themselves. That is why they do not rely on us — they believe in us.

 

— What words should we say to support them?

 

— Who knows for certain? Yes, we know what the soul thinks even a moment before the thought becomes clear. We even know what it desires here and now. But sometimes these thoughts and simple decisions become covered with imposed ideas, false meanings mistaken for true desire.

 

— Yes, that is familiar. Sometimes a person wants attention but asks for help with tasks instead. That is needed too, of course. But how much simpler it would be to say: “Come over, let’s talk. I want to see you again and touch your hand.” Instead it becomes: “I need to move the sofa. I can’t manage alone. Come help.”

 

— Or someone wants to leave but cannot admit it. So they invent a doctor’s appointment or a work obligation. It would be easier to say: “I want to go to the capital, walk around, rest, clear my head.” But instead — tests, procedures, consultations.

 

— All true. But we cannot judge hesitation, fear, or mistaken feelings. We can only say:

“I know your thoughts.

If you want to share — I am here.

If you say nothing — I am here.

If you make a choice — I am here.

Even if it is the wrong one — I am here, to meet you when you understand and turn back.”

 

We can simply take a hand.

We can show the beauty of a sunset at the end of a difficult day.

We can outrun anxious dreams of the unknown by whispering how peacefully the sea sounds.

Or illuminate a narrow path along a mountain slope so that one may step calmly over uneven stones.

 

And we can create a small miracle —

to give deep and peaceful sleep after exhausting anxiety.

All we need is to touch the palm with a feather

and leave it there as a symbol of calm and faithful presence.

Then dissolve, fade from memory,

yet remain in the heart.

 

Silence filled the classroom.

She smiled — they understood.

 

— Yes, — Astrena said quietly.

 

With gratitude, she bowed to the listeners.

 

— Yes…

the audience answered like a gentle breeze.