Three Ways

In the past week or so, I've been through a lot. And there are three people who really helped me make it through. This was a hard time, and there are very few people that I trust, that I talked to. And these three helped in ways that I think everyone needs.

The first listened. She let me cry and talk it out. She allowed me to let out all my pent up emotion and hurt. She simply listened. This is so important. Today it seems most people don't listen. Rather than empathizing, they try immediately to fix the problem. They try to tell you what you're doing wrong. They judge your problem and give solutions-which can be helpful, but not all the time, and not usually for me. This person-my mother-listening to me meant a lot, because it's so rare today.

The second person didn't judge me. My best friend allowed me to simply be. With what happened, I was so afraid to open up, because it was the result of a decision I made. It would have been easy to judge, and I was scared they would. But this friend did not. She heard me out and didn't judge, like another might have.

The third protected me. I say protected, but it was kind of joking. He said he'd beat up anyone who hurt me, but really the message was that he was there to protect my heart. That meant a great deal to me.

In a way, I suppose, these three things are kind of the same. Yet they are so different as well. Because the people were different, the places we were in, the place I was in.

I guess the point is that it means so much to have friends who stand behind you, people who you can trust. And though I don't trust easily, it's hard to lose my trust once it's been gained. In this situation, I learned of three people that I can truly trust, because of how they reacted to a person in need.

My challenge is this: be that person. Love without asking, without always having to fix the problems. Love by listening, by not judging, and by protecting. You'll win people's hearts. I promise.