Sadness envelops Me(kc)

(Have gone back n forth about qualifying this thot-jot, but a phone call decided it for me. This was about someone a long time ago, but is applicable to a current friend; a friend I do not know how to help, but would like to see garner some self-esteem. She's married to a good friend--who is one of the good guys, but is foundering in the marriage. Any advice, insight, or thoughts would be appreciated)

Sadness envelops me; a sadness stemming from feelings of ineffectualness. I am used to solving problems; problems others may have spent years seeking solutions to no avail, I often have found clearly solvable. Problems mostly rooted in the inanimate, the intellectual, and the mundane.

As I grow, I find the solutions to problems—as defined by my peers—to be of little import outside the context of that very tiny venue. The patents I hold, the products I have developed, the problems I solved, the awards received, the recognition given, and the honors bestowed, now are riff with the patina of dissatisfaction.

What good is it having a genius i.q. when I cannot seem to solve problems of the psyche? Should not I know more about the innermost workings of the human mind, considering I am human? How is it I can look without and see so clearly, then look within through a glass darkly? Frustrating just barely catches the edge of how I am feeling.

I have sat in quiet introspection for many, many years, pondering my past actions, my past experiences, my past successes, and my past failures. I felt I had come to some reasonably accurate assessments of who I was, who I am, and who I desire to become. I believe I have learned from this introspection and will be a better person, a better father, a better friend, and a better husband, from the lessons learned. Yet, I fear I may fail due to my enthusiasm.

I have been blessed to meet the singularly most beautiful woman any man could hope for. She is pretty, with a smile that goes forever—reaching into my soul and brightening it to previously unfelt heights; eyes that look into you and see you, and at the same time open windows into the depths of her heart; and an amazing strength of character. Everyday I find something more about her to cherish, to respect, to love. That such an amazing creature would allow me into her life still surprises me. Not that I have a low self-image, but I am still in awe that she is giving me a part of her busy, busy life.

And therein lays the problem that has thrown as has no other in my life: how can I help her see herself through my eyes? She does not see her beauty, her strength, her compassion, her worth. In her life she has had the misfortune to choose some really unsupportive, un-giving, unloving people. Mistreated, self-worth reflected in distorted mirrors thrust before her, and barrage after barrage of disrespectful, distrustful, accusatorial, and hateful talk.

Anyone have any ideas? Any suggestions? Any answers? Or. as usual, do I allow time and fumbling mistakes hopefully give the answer to me?