Disclaimer: Friends, please don't take any of my comments that you are about to read personally. I have not mentioned anyone personally, so please don't take this as a personal note to you. However, if you start feeling guilty, well.... that's on you!
When trying to make a decision on what to write about, it kind of came to me through an experience I had this week, and having conversations with others regarding friendships. Being a great friend is like being a teacher; some people have the ability to be a good friend and others simply lack the capacity. Don't get me wrong, people who don't have the capacity to be a good friend don't do it on purpose, nor can they help their inability to grasp the concept of friendship. However, friendships with people like this are difficult and trying, and usually end up being very one-sided, trust me I know from lots of experience.
Friendships are unique relationships because you maintain a ton of them, and each one is so very different from the other. The issue I'm having is that I believe I try to be the best friend possible to everyone that I consider a close friend, but at times I feel like a "Please Take One" basket and people come and empty the whole freaking basket in their purse or backpack, and keep going. Now friends, I know I am not the perfect friend or person, but I do honestly try. I realize I'm opinionated, talk too much, and sometimes I can be brutally honest (okay that's enough), but the most important thing is I realize my shortcomings, and try to work on keeping them in check, I do, honestly!
It's true what they say, great friendships are the ones that stand the test of time. The friends that you can go months without talking to and when you do speak again, you can pick right up without missing a beat. We all are busy people who lead hectic lives, and fall out of contact with one another from time to time. I think the most important thing to remember is to not allow friendships to become unbalanced. One friend shouldn't have the responsibility to call, to invite, to listen, to counsel, etc; while the other, takes, takes, and takes. I believe that friends should share the responsibility of the friendship equally. Friends should call one another, invite each other to hang out, or listen to each other's problems and concerns. I'm sure it has been said before, but be the type of friend you need, and hopefully the same will be returned.
Before I step off my soap box, I want those of you who read this to understand this is just my ramblings and thoughts, but if it serves as a springboard to improve some friendships then great! However, don't go over-analyzing yourself and your friendships. Remember, I'm just me, even though a friend told me I missed my calling as a psychiatrist (thanks Jeff).
The Job
I had a blast being back with kids this week! I got cursed out and hit, and I still love my job! I know you think I may be crazy, but I think in order to be in the field of education you have to be a little off your rocker these days.
Funny stories... too many kids must be watching Dr. Oz and the Doctor's these days. A kid came into the office this week and said straight out, "I have liquid stool"... what happened to just saying my stomach hurts? I had another student not understanding the importance of keeping his pants up, while also belting "Born to be Wild." Again, it was a great week!
