The world would be a dark and lonely place without friends and we can learn so much from others. Lynne and Craig Zabriskie are an example of strangers reaching out to me, which had a positive impact on my life. Even though they had their own struggles with rehab and recovery, they took time to befiend me. Their experience gave them the ability to truly empathize with what I was going through. I learned from them that your own burdens are lightened when you reach out to help another. Their example has encouraged me to do the same for others.
I realize when I’m focused on my own problems it’s easy to feel abandoned by people. As my thoughts and energy are focus inward on what I need and not on what others may need, I feel alone. Those are unhappy days and days I need to remember that to have a good friend, I need to be a good friend.
Spreading the love to those around you can make a difference in someone’s life today and every day. You don’t need an excuse or a special day to show someone you care. If one friend can change your whole life, how many lives can you change by being a friend?
Think of friendship in terms of sugar. The body has a natural need for sugar, but as we eat balanced meals this need can be met. Fruits, vegetables and other foods naturally produce the sugar that our bodies require. If we’re eating a mixture of healthy foods, we don’t need to add more sugar to our diet. Likewise, we shouldn’t depend on just one person to meet all of our needs. If we depend on one, we are doomed for disappointment and miss out on other great friendships. A variety of friends will make life sweeter. When we are engaged in healthy relationships such as family, friends, community, and others—then we will naturally receive love from a diversity of sources. Of course, it is difficult to have totally healthy relationships with everyone all of the time, which is why it’s important to have an assortment of relationships. Just like it isn’t healthy to eat only one type of food, it isn’t healthy to rely on one person to fulfill all your needs—especially if that one person is you.
In order to feel love, acceptance and understanding, you must be able to give the same to someone else. To have a friend, you must be one and one can change your whole life.
Uniting Caregivers 