Counsel

(Community Matters) While chatting with a 23 yo over lunch today, I listened attentively, since so much of what many need today is simply to be heard (and to talk outloud, to have to reach conclusion in their thoughts).  Increasingly I don’t prioritize making nice or becoming friends with 20 year olds.  I’d much rather share truths as I’ve experienced them, or as I interpret them, with the hope of favorably counseling someone.

This young man (who’s a casual acquaintance but whom I’ve watched on facebook and in a business setting), has many gifts to recommend him.

After listening, inquiring and mostly affirming, I explained that there are many paths one can take, which while looking similar, sometimes even easier, lead to very different sorts of lives.  While I’ve thought about it before, I’m not sure I’ve articulated how blessed some lives can be (I don’t mean blessed in any religious sense) – certainly mine & Steven’s among those.  I don’t mean materially (though that too); I mean because of the people we are lucky to count among our closest friends – how most of us spend a lot of time, money and effort on others – sometimes ones’ children, grandchildren or community, politics, running a business & providing fair paying jobs supporting families. How within this cohort, you don’t really have to look over your shoulder because these friends have your back.

Even among us, we sometimes become too ego-centric.  This doesn’t serve us well.  When we start feeling sorry for ourselves, or obsessing about ourselves, perhaps it’s time to focus on others.