Unicorns

        Of the many categories of people we may meet in the world, one of the most intriguing types is one of the rarest, a kind of luminous and otherworldly personality. This type of personality seems to have a unique inner radiance that other people find to be magnetic. This rare individual seems permanently focused on what is the best in other people and about the world; they take what they see in other people and act on it making the lives of those people markedly better in the process.  As exceptional as would be a real life unicorn, these people resemble this mythological creature in their fragility and how the world usually reacts to them.

       These people are often very intelligent but rarely seem to learn from the negative encounters that they frequently have with other people. Though they may realize that particular people may potentially wish them evil, they refuse to treat anyone with suspicion. Rarely do they spend time thinking about how to avoid negative situations or take logical precautions to protect themselves.  They always approach people and the world as they believe people should be treated, as if the world was the best it could be.

       From negative encounters with people who are not honest or as well meaning as they are, they have many complicated experiences. From their hard experiences with people or in the world in general, these people often have difficult lives filled with disappointments. These disappointments tend to cut them more deeply than would be the case for most people; one of their characteristics is an unusual degree of sensitivity to life, other people and the world. Their openness to other people and to the world also leaves them open to the worst the world has to offer.  To their credit, these challenging experiences rarely change them; being true to their unusual nature, they cannot seem to live without always finding something beautiful in someone or in the world to focus their attention on. In this way they seem to uplift themselves and continue on.

      These people often make other people’s lives much better, through care, interest, or material support. Knowing such a person is almost always a very memorable experience that indelibly changes one’s life for the better. These people almost always have endless hours to stay and talk with others about their problems. When possible they are the ones to help their neighbors or friends out of the worst situations. When others are in need they tend to be the ones to give all they have in selfless sacrifice to help others overcome their difficulties. More than this, these people are true philanthropists, habitually helping complete strangers when no one else would. To a great extent it seems these people exist to truly make the world a better place.

       If we are living our lives thinking only of ourselves, it is possible that these people are the ones that are really taking care of our greatest needs without our awareness of their efforts. Their illuminated nature and the selfless activities that they engage in, which often do them no personal good, make them seem as if they really are from another world altogether.

       When we meet with these people, their very nature has the tendency to bring various aspects of our own personalities to the surface. We react to these people from what is really inside of us. There is something in their manner that will remind some of us of the time when we were children and so return to us a portion of the wonder that we once felt for life. For others these people are naïve, ridiculous, or lying and consequently they will treat them with all the mistrust, superiority, and incredulity of a truly cynical mind. In simply being whom and how they are, they separate us into two groups based on our own reactions to them.

       For those that are so lucky as to meet such people, and can appreciate their amazing qualities, do not doubt them.  Appreciate each moment with them and take what lessons their unique character offers. Regard them as the special people they are as they enlighten our world. Show them the kindness and consideration that they deserve.