Very true , If I had a friend or child who struggled deeply with others, I wouldn’t force them to mask or fit in. I’d give them the kind of books, experiences, and reflections that open their heart that help them discover, understand, and genuinely appreciate other human beings. When respect becomes rooted in their core, kindness follows naturally. Masking and gaining people friendship or approval tricks, on the other hand, are unsustainable. It drains the soul and fractures identity. Eventually, the effort to “seem normal” backfires in spectacular and painful ways. What they need is the space and wisdom to reach their own realization: that treating others well isn’t a performance it’s a choice born from inner clarity. A book like that could be a ok addition later on when that is established
Discussion
It was hard for me to respect my mom sometimes, because she acted like she was a saint, and I didn't buy it, and even from a young age, I could get a sense when adults were bs-ing me.