I'm starting to realize that 90% of people absolutely love to talk about one thing: themselves. Whether on the phone or in person, when someone is talking to you- listen! Do not text someone else, do not work on papers, do not look mindlessly around the room. If someone just spent 2 hours listening to everything that's happening to you, now it's your turn. Sadly, this is not the case. Now that it's not all about them, they suddenly develop a chronic case of ADD.
My spiritual gift is encouragement, and I love to use it. It makes my day when I can cheer up someone's day. My love language is quality time, and I love nothing more than the one-on-one time I get with people. But sometimes it's me that needs the quality time and encouragement. Please remember that before you spend an hour talking about your boy problems and hang up before even asking how my day is going. Try talking to your cat next time, they don't talk back.
Sorry for the dripping sarcasm, and this post is not about one person in particular, I swear. It's just that lately I've noticed a trend and it's getting to point where I don't want to care. My prayer is that I will continue to encourage despite opposition and frustration.
Amen Sista!
ReplyDeleteI hope that I am a good listener!
Love you!
I remember dealing with many similar problems when I was in high school and my first few years of college. I realized that one of the things that separates a _good_ friend from a _great_ one is the amount of give and take that comes with the relationship. Chancing upon great friends and roommates has to be one of the most rewarding encounters of my life, but I know the frustration and loneliness that comes with just being the basin for "verbal throw up" that is just used and then case aside. Be encouraged though, because God has given you great friends already (like Yvonne) and I'd be glad to hear you "vent' anyday. ;P
ReplyDeleteTwo other tricks I learned to deal with all the rubbish and seflishness that comes with immaturity: if you get vented on, go find one person you really love and trust and have a good relationship with and vent to them. My favorite person is my mom. The worse my life got, the closer our relationship has gotten as I've learned to go to her when I'm emotionally drained. The second trick is to start hanging out with older people. ;P I may be wrong, but I'll bet the people who end up being really needy and selfish are people sophomore or juniors and down. As we get closer to our graduating years at college, a miraculous, more socially adept change comes over the vast population and makes the majority at least tolerable to be around if not pleasant.
Hope your day and state of friends gets better. Keep your chin up and know, you're not alone. Dumb people are everywhere. ;P (Oh, and there are people who care about you too. :)
Thanks so much for your support and advice guys! It really has helped me and I definitely agree with your tricks Stephanie. You both are great friends! :)
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