You've Got A Friend...

My favorite book states very clearly, early on, that life is all about struggles. I know that sounds a bit depressing, but there's more.

Rather than let those struggles swallow us up, we should be perfecting our coping abilities. And that, my dear, is the stuff that defines our character... how we deal with life's ups and downs.
I've owned several copies. Each one has found its way into the hands of someone I felt could benefit from all those highlighted paragraphs and dog-eared pages.

One copy, I'm sure, I sent home with my oldest daughter after one of her visits. It's a three-hour plane ride from here to DFW , so I felt confident that she would feel compelled to pass the time with this book given to her at the last minute at the airport. She's a reader, for sure.

I pulled this trick several times on her and her younger sister. Before a visit, I'd find a "thinking" book and read it before they arrived, highlighting what I thought would be of benefit. Then, when they started looking for something to read on the plane, I'd offer it up. I knew--at the very least--they'd read what I had highlighted.

It's always better if you can learn the lesson yourself, whether it be reading the written word or through the trials and tribulations of first hand experience. It is through the pain of confronting and solving problems that we learn.

First hand experiences define who we are, what we like and dislike, what we want and what we absolutely cannot tolerate any longer.

There comes a point in everyone's life when talking to yourself--whether out loud or mentally-- is inevitable. The words have to be spoken. The decisions have to made. The only way your life is going to improve is when you decide to improve it. There's just no easy way to make it happen.

So the plans are laid out. The decisions are made--and off you go!

But you're not alone. You have made friends with yourself.