SELF-REFLECTION WRITING CHALLENGE
The Friend that Listens — Day 12
I’m always the friend that people come to when they have things that they want to get off of their chest
Dr. Tracy Davis, I’m on Day 12 and each writing challenge presents a new challenge for me every day. Some of the prompts I’ve had to modify and make my own. Others I’ve had to take days to think about. This one, though, came right out of my head and right onto the page.
What do my friends come to me for? It’s a simple question. One that I know the answer to almost immediately.
My friends call me when they want to vent. They also call me when they want my advice on something. I get friends calling me to listen to them all the time. And within reason, I’m the guy that usually does just this. I’m not really a judgmental person and I always just want to help people. I always try to find common sense solutions when people ask me to help solve problems.
I know that not everything has a simple solution but many things that people come to me with are things that I try to help solve. Sometimes, it’s as simple as just listening and letting them talk it out and my friends sometimes come up with the solution on their own.
I had a friend call me one time when he was having trouble with his girlfriend. I talked everything out with him, well, he did most of the talking, and he figured out the solution on his own. I was just happy to be there in the moment with him when he made the realization.
I’m a very patient, diplomatic person, too, so I always try to see every situation from both sides. I know there is no problem that is truly one-sided and there can be many perspectives on many things.
“I am just happy to help.” That should be my slogan or catchphrase from now on.
It’s always been in my nature and personality to be helpful and lend an ear to solve a problem. It almost seems disrespectful to me when I’m not chosen to do that. It’s like an insult to my intelligence. Okay, I want to preface this part by saying that I know that it’s not ever really personal when I’m not selected to help with something, I’m just expressing how it may feel to me sometimes because of all of the previously mentioned accounts and details. I have to learn to take a step back sometimes, too.
Not everyone will always be looking for help even if they come to talk to me about an issue. I need to make sure to continuously assess a situation and be patient and gain an understanding of the problem. I don’t always have to be the world-beater and solve everything, even though it bothers me at times when I don’t know how to do or solve something.
I really appreciate it when people trust me with their problems. It makes me feel useful. I don’t like to give my time lightly or feel like I’m just being used or my time is being wasted but for those who I’ve deemed worthy of my time and who have earned my respect, I’ll give all the time I’m able to.
I really missed out on my calling. I was going to school to become a teacher. That would’ve been a job where I would constantly help people solve problems. It’s too bad that my disability and my health have prevented me from completing my education and getting into that field. I hope one day my body will be strong enough. I’m 40 years old now though and I’m realistic in my goals. Surviving the day and enjoying the people that I love are my realistic goals each day.
Day 11:
