Some people maneuver through life in such refreshing ways that it’s as if they grew up in another world. It’s difficult to reconcile the facts that they are exposed to many of the same things I am and yet appear so untroubled. Of course, this is a lie. Everyone has troubles at some level, whether you see them or not is just a matter of how close you are to the person. Still, when I see someone who exudes an innocent optimistic energy I want to keep my distance out of fear that getting close enough for them to notice me would contaminate their world.

Simultaneously, I have a conflicting interest in getting second-hand exposure to their outlook. Balancing these wants has made me a skilled inconspicuous observer. If there’s one positive thing that can come from a person’s false construct of the way you are it’s the timeless moment of bewilderment when you’re standing across from them at arm’s length and they are helplessly statuesque, as the intricately contrived conceptions about you that they had assembled begin to crumble due to these conceptions being in contradiction with what all six of their senses are now telling them.