Be a Friend to Others… and Yourself

Friends have to be there for each other. Doesn’t matter if you’re tired, or have problems of your own. Be there – not with your mind a million miles away. Are you listening? Can you hear the feelings hiding behind the words? Are you looking your friend in his eyes? Reaching out and putting a hand on his/her shoulder? When was the last time you called or stopped by?

Yeah, we’re all busy, have our own pains and challenges. We have enough on our TODO list already. So what!

And what about one’s self? Are we being a good friend to ourselves? Eating decent food, cutting down on the booze, getting enough exercise, adequate sleep? Darned if it isn’t difficult to befriend oneself! Perhaps that’s where we must start. With ourselves – be kind to yourself. Teach and train yourself to become whole. One day, one hour, one minute, one decision at a time.

It ain’t easy, looking at yourself in the mirror and trying to make the right choice. The choice you’d tell a friend to take. “Don’t be a donkey’s ass, do the right thing!” Only now you’re saying it to yourself. Practice being a good friend to yourself so you can be one to others.

At the same time, consider the reverse side of the coin – someone else. Advice is free. Speak up. Let him/her know that you’re there for them. And that you always will be. (Just like you’ll be for yourself.)

“Call any time… You just have to ask.”

Break off one problem at a time. Take a deep breath. OK, what would your friend say? Don’t know? Give them a call. Ask. And remember, do all this with loving kindness.

____________________________

Ken was a Professor of Mathematics, a ceramicist, a welder, and an IBMer until downsized in 2000. He taught yoga until COVID-19 decided otherwise. He continues writing, living with his wife and beagle in Shorewood, Wisconsin. He enjoys chamber music and mysteries. He’s a homebrewer and runs whitewater rivers. Ken is a writer and his literary works can be found at https://www.kmkbooks.com/

He welcomes feedback on his articles and can be reached at havokjournal@havokmedia.com.

As the Voice of the Veteran Community, The Havok Journal seeks to publish a variety of perspectives on a number of sensitive subjects. Unless specifically noted otherwise, nothing we publish is an official point of view of The Havok Journal or any part of the U.S. government.