There are none so blind, as those who cannot see, or even hear.

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And I am not talking about the person who truly does have actual poor eyesight, or none at all. I am talking about the person who decides he/she does not actually WANT to see something other than from their own perspective. Sadly, this is often the case when people are prejudiced, intolerant, or just plain think that ''their way is the only way, and that's it. No discussion needed.'' Often, people ignore the truth on purpose, because they want to be right. They are book smart, even brilliant. But they have little or no empathy for others, and do not deviate from what they think others should do or should be. In other words, it's the person you know that states his or her opinion, and it is made to cover the masses of whatever people they are discussing. And this person, in his or her opinion, is never, ever wrong. Not ever. I had a friend like this several years ago. We had lost touch for a time as she moved around and so did I. She found me and called me, wanted to see me. We were friends/acquaintances, but not ever close. She was SO critical of everyone and everything. She always stated her opinions on everything from the color of my sweater to where I lived and what kind of car I drove. She was this way with everyone, I thought maybe she reached out because she needed friends, so of course I trotted right along and met with her a few times. She was upset because her daughter refused to see her anymore, and she wanted ME to try to fix this for her. This was not my place. I hadn't seen her daughter in years, and she lives far away...and she had told her mother she was simply done. (Evidently Mom was trying to interfere with the daughter raising her own children, telling her how she did everything wrong.) I don't mind helping people when I am able to, but this was just not my place. She hadn't changed...and truthfully, I just had a hard time trying to deal with her. She asked me what I thought she should do, I told her she needed to write her daughter an apology and ask for another chance, and then I said--''remember, those are her children, not yours. You have to let her raise them.'' She got upset and then she said her daughter wanted her to go to counseling, but she didn't want to go, because then her entire family would think she was crazy. What a waste. A scholarly, smart woman, attractive, and she has to run everything and everyone, has no respect for other's opinions, and is actually blind to the fact that she needs to back off and not be so critical of people. And she truly does need help. But she just doesn't get it...it's like there is something missing inside of her. Obviously, I don't really have the time to see her right now, but she did go to a counselor--3 of them, in fact. She didn't like any of them, as they were trying to get her to understand why she felt the need to be so critical of others. She wanted help...but no one can make someone understand that they can't run everyone's lives. She just couldn't see the problem and she still can't. No one wants to be constantly criticized, nit-picked, and subjected to constant negativity. I know I don't. I don't know anyone who does. I tried to help, but I failed. It has to come from her, and I think she has to want to change bad enough to actually do it. Maybe I am being harsh, but I can't fix her.