Today's will be a short post, but something worth thinking about.
How much can we do to help those close to us solve their problems? Heal their relationships? Look at life differently?
It's a tricky thing, being happy. It makes you feel like you know what you're doing. It makes you feel like you have advice to offer, counsel to give. But I believe my happiness is the culmination of many things, but the result of just one thing: openness. This past year, I've been open to failure, to my flaws, and to rejection. I've been open to learning, to teaching, and to success. And most of all, I've been open to talking. Talking, candidly and honestly, with a fair heart and a mind grounded in reason, has led me to so many constructive, healing conversations. Conversations where I could make my point, but practice empathy and consideration. Communication, like happiness, is a very tricky thing, indeed.
So where does my ability communicate stop? I can heal my broken friendship, but can I mend the struggling relationship between my two friends? I can urge them to talk. I can coach them on how to approach each other. But I can't make them do it, and I certainly can't do it for them. I can cope with my own personal struggles with anxiety, but can I help another do the same? I can give them resources. I can suggest getting help. But I can't make them do it, and I certainly can't do it for them.
For now, I've surmised that the best I can do is to continue to love, listen, and talk to these people. Perhaps talking with me will demonstrate [what I feel] would be helpful if they did the same with others.
