My all-time favorite author is a man named Paulo Coelho. For those of you who have never read anything by him, get thee to a bookstore or library and immediately read The Alchemist. It's a fable in the vein of Antoine de Saint-Exupery's The Little Prince and it will touch your heart. It's required reading for my friends.
I was reading one of Coelho's more recent books, The Zahir, the other day. It's not one of my favorites, but I find gems in anything he writes. One quote in particular struck me:
"Our true friends are those who are with us when the good things happen. They cheer us on and are pleased by our triumphs. False friends only appear at difficult times, with their sad, supportive faces, when, in fact, our suffering is serving to console them for their miserable lives."
It made me wonder what kind of friend I am. I try to be happy for my friends, but part of me is always a little sad for me when a wonderful thing happens for a dear friend. I smile at weddings, I buy gifts for new babies, I send a card when someone gets a new job. But, more often than not, I'm the friend that puts people back together in difficult times, rather than the friend who celebrates the happy times. I don't think that's a bad thing, necessarily, but I'm the person on speed dial when there's an illness, or a death, or a cheating boyfriend, or a car accident. I've written more obituaries than I have wedding toasts. Is that a poor reflection of my character in some way?
I've intentionally chosen a career based on the fact that I'm good in times of emotional crisis. To put it bluntly, as a Estate attorney, I deal in death. I did that because I thought it was a good thing that I'm supportive and organized even in times of personal upheaval. I can't help but wonder, though, if there's something wrong with my priorities. I've always thought it a good thing that people rely on me in times of trouble, but maybe I should be more concerned that no one calls me first in times of joy. Do I not revel enough in my friends' personal victories? Is anyone really good at being genuinely, 100% happy for their friends every time something good happens?
Bottom line, my friends, am I sufficiently happy for you? Do you wonder why I'm not sending you flowers when you get a good deal on a winter coat? Should I spend more time helping you bask in your good days? Or am I reading too much into an isolated quote...as usual?
PENANGGAP MEDIS DARURAT - PENANGGAP PERTAMA EMR
-
Pemirsa yang Dimaksud: Mereka yang ingin mengejar posisi di Layanan Medis
Darurat (EMS) dan / atau perlu bekerja dan berkoordinasi dengan staf EMS
lainn...
7 years ago
Posts
4 pink picket thought(s):
I think it's a lovely quote and I think that you're sufficiently happy when we need you to be happy for us, but I think it says a lot about you that you are also our rock. For a lot of us (i.e. me) I don't have anyone else that I feel I can trust enough to lay my burdens down with without fear of judgement or condemnation. You're that person for me. You're my person (forgive the cheesy Grey's Anatomy quote). You're the one that is constantly there for me, even through weeks and months of no phone calls, I know that you'd be here in a heartbeat if the situation called for it. That means more to me than a card when Parker's born. :)
I think it's harder to find the perfect thing to say or send when someone is going through a rough time than it is when they're having a bright patch. You're one of those people who knows how to instinctively help and heal others. It's a true talent.
You're both a wonderful person and a wonderful friend.
P.S. At least I never made you write a wedding toast for me. Instead I made you suffer through planning a baby shower with Dorothy, which I think was much more arduous! ;)
I'm glad to see you updated ~ FINALLY!
Really missed you this past weekend. Heard you were under the weather, but hopefully, you are feeling much better now!
As to your quote....You may be the friend that everyone calls in times of trouble. And, that is not a bad thing. It says a lot about your character; others depend on you, and you provide stability for them during times of upheaval. You are not someone that your friends have to talk to everyday; you're a true friend. Someone you can pick up the phone and call, and somehow, your friendship picks up right where you left it off. Dependable...
As to not sending me flowers when I find a great deal, not to worry. Scrapbook supplies would be greatly appreciated :D
Miss you!
You know, I always use to feel that tinge of sadness when a friend of mine got married or had a baby. Was it jealousy? I don't know. Maybe it was the insecurity inside me that I would never reach that milestone I've always wanted.
Then I realized, maybe I don't ever want some of those same things. It was at my friend's wedding, when I had recently broken up with someone I only ever envisioned myself divorcing, that I truly felt happy for someone else. I thought, "She's so sweet, and so happy, and I'm so happy for her right now in this moment that we will always remember."
Do I have friends I call in crisis time? Absolutely. But do I have certain people I call when I'm in the super golden times? Not necessarily. Rather, I want to share those moments with everyone.
I think you are a wonderful friend. For me that means you comment on any post, not just the ones that scream out "Lindsay's having another mental breakdown!" It says a lot about your character that you are consistently there for your friends.
ps - Is the whole "my person" really a Grey's Anatomy quote? I thought my sister and I made it up!!!!! Kim, I'm going to have to call you to help me get over this horrific discovery.
"The best kind of friend is the one you could sit on a porch with, never saying a word, and walk away feeling like that was the best conversation you've had."
Post a Comment