You Will Be Horror-Struck When You Find out How This Boy Lost His Emotions

“Ask the Doctor” where readers ask questions of the world renounced general practitioner Dr. Charles V. Fullerton 

Dear Doctor:  This holiday season was very busy.  I worked many overtime hours due to the Christmas rush as well as attending college classes at night.  I work at a warehouse and have neither the need, nor the money to buy fancy shirts.  For Christmas dinner my mother announced that the family would go to dinner at one of the fancier restaurants.  I was not previously aware that there was a dress code. I dressed in the best clothes that I had available.   I am a hard working young man, but not very well dressed. I did not have a very nice button down shirt in my wardrobe.  When my mother saw what I wore, she became angry and shouted at me.   I don't remember all that she said, but one thing that stuck with me was that I was "A monster who ruined Christmas."  The family then went to dinner without me, leaving me alone for Christmas.  How can I forget this painful memory?  -- Elephant

Dear Elephant:  I am sorry to say, you will never forget this experience.  Parent's words are the most scarring, and being left behind for Christmas is not nice.  Children place too much importance on their parent's statements.  This is an unfortunate and unavoidable part of being a human.  You are still young and your emotions haven't hardened yet.  Emotions are weakness.  You can never eliminate them, but if you can dampen them by at least 75% your life will pass much easier.  As I have stated many times before, life is about suffering and survival.   Harden your heart.  You must manage your suffering in order to survive.