Then we didn't. I knew what the problem was. She was always right and knew so much more than me. She gave me horrible advice, tried to steal my boyfriend, and ignored me. She was a drain on me emotionally.
Except she wasn't. It was all ME. I was the selfish one. I was the know-it-all, I gave her garbage advice, and tried to get her to break up with her boyfriend because I knew he was wrong for her. I called her and dumped my crap on her. I treated her horribly! In order to protect herself from my reign of terror and destruction she had to cut me off. I can't blame her. She was right.
Fast forward twenty years, and I'm still not that great of a friend. Last spring a friend of mine that I've looked up to for a long time said something to someone else (none of my business) and I flew off the handle. Yes, I did apologize later that day, but the damage was done. I still cry about it sometimes. Since that time I'm afraid I've lost his friendship forever. I hope I can say it was the last time.
Now what is the moral of this sad and lonely tale? Sometimes people are hurting so they take it out on those around them they way I have. Once in a while we behave so badly we drive others away. Try not to take it personally, because honestly it has nothing to do with you. Try to see the good in everyone, especially when it's hard. That's what I'm learning to do. My high-school friend tried to help me and I drained her of any love she had for me. My other friend had to protect himself from my volatile temper tantrums. They were both right to do it. What I failed to see is that they were both trying to help someone. They saw the good that they could do, where I only saw imagined insults.
Look for the best in people; it's always there. Ignore the negative; you'll have bad days too. I'm not asking for a free pass for myself, but for the others you'll come across in your day to day life. They all deserve the best you; because you're awesome!
