We are collages

The saddest thing anyone ever said to me was: “I’m not the person you think I am.” Sad because I chose not to hear it. Years later I finally understand. What is said and what is heard are often entirely different. Our desires colour what is received, shaping and shading it. None of us are the people others see us as or want us to be. Or even the people we believe ourselves to be. We are collages. Collections and layers.