feeling understood is the first key

We are faced with humanity at many levels, some good, some bad, some intolerable. As humanity, mankind is graded, falling into varying states of consciousness. Living merely as human beings, with their inner resources untapped, unaware of their true identity, life for some becomes a hopeless struggle against insuperable odds-- ill health, small earnings, and high taxes. To cloak their failure and sense of inadequacy, some people assume a bravado or affect an exuberance of outer joy to conceal their disappointment and frustration. Yet these people, as do all people, hunger for love. And how do they want to be loved? As we do, first by being understood.

- Joel S. Goldsmith, The Art of Meditation