~ Caring vs Listening ~

When Gilbert has doubts about being a doctor, he confides in Anne and Winifred. Their answers are very different.

#renewannewithane
Anne& #39;s reaction is emotional. She *cares* about him & his dreams. She is not the type to give up before a difficulty. She is a dreamer, a fighter, and she tells Gilbert to face the truth and embrace it, because wanting to be a doctor is a part of who he is.

#renewannewithane
"I don& #39;t think I can be a doctor. Doctors are supposed to... I was... I had to tell her, but I... [...] Mary needed me to be strong. I just made it worse. I couldn& #39;t find the words and I made it worse."

#renewannewithane
"Would she have been consoled by some dispassionate delivery ? I hope you never have to do something like that again, but I don& #39;t think you& #39;ll be able to avoid it.

#renewannewithane
People will come to you Gilbert. And they will bring their children, and everyone they hold dear, to see a doctor who *cares* just as much as they do. You will be a wonderful doctor. Caring deeply will always be the right thing."

#renewannewithane
Winifred answer is cold and rational. She is a good friend, so she *listens* and sympathizes, but she doesn& #39;t support his dream. She doesn& #39;t understand that being a doctor comes from his history, it IS him. She doesn& #39;t really *care*.

#renewannewithane
-"It was a great experience. And I... I learned a lot. But it& #39;s made me unsure about pursuing medicine.
- Why so ?

#renewannewithane
It seems to me that.. doctors are essentially.. powerless. All they really do is react to illness. I want to help people, not stand by while they die. Medicine couldn& #39;t save my mother, my father.. and now I& #39;ve lost Mary, who was.. like a sister to me. It just.. seems pointless.
- I& #39;m so sorry, Gilbert. I can& #39;t imagine how difficult it all must be.

(he is surprised by her answer... it& #39;s like he& #39;s thinking, "oh, so that& #39;s it, I should really give up my dream?")

#renewannewithane
"But I know for certain that, whatever you choose to focus your passion on *next*, the world will be better for it."

(see the look of disappointment on his face, this is not the reaction he was expecting... is he maybe comparing it to Anne& #39;s reaction?)

#renewannewithane
- Thanks, for... *listening*. For your friendship. It& #39;s been really nice."

Winifred listens, but she doesn& #39;t understand what it really means to him. She doesn& #39;t really care.

#renewannewithane
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