tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5944766913433542786.post248283167068064671..comments2023-05-15T19:42:05.251-07:00Comments on The Attitude of Gratitude Inn: Friends vs. Acquaintances, and We Get What We Tolerate 2/3/12Pablohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17963540433054608632noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5944766913433542786.post-33008310802195412772012-02-06T10:47:33.552-08:002012-02-06T10:47:33.552-08:00Thank you Mr. Innkeeper ;)Thank you Mr. Innkeeper ;)Caryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13683722744802787954noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5944766913433542786.post-58286659686568309782012-02-06T07:58:23.591-08:002012-02-06T07:58:23.591-08:00Cary,
Nice seeing you here and getting to know y...Cary, <br /><br />Nice seeing you here and getting to know you better! I like what you say. I'm in agreement with you and you've expressed it well. <br /><br />Good for you, for keeping negative and manipulative people at arms length! Do you know what I call those who suck the energy from us? Emotional Vampires. <br /> <br />Do you know what I do, when experiencing their attempts to drain me of joy and hope, or want to use me or have all my attention? Two things:<br /><br />1. I say to them, "Let's put a bookmark in our conversation. I need to process what you've said. Maybe we can talk in a couple of hours or in a day or two."<br /><br /> What I'm really saying is, "I have to take care of myself by getting away. I need to exercise, talk with a friend, scream into a pillow, go see a wonderful, uplifting movie with a supportive friend, etc., do something, anything, that is healthy for me, so that I can discharge the negativity I've just experienced while being with you."<br /><br />I love the word "process." It's such a good euphemism and it doesn't judge, blame or use shame. <br /><br />2. When I'm with someone who constantly complains, which isn't often, because I don't care to be around that type of energy, I might otherwise say, "I'm sorry, but I can't really connect with this subject, can we talk about something else?"<br /><br />If they insist on being negative, I'll use number 1, above. <br /><br />I've found that character discernment is key, when it comes to selecting friends. A good book that has helped me is "Safe People" by Drs. Henry Cloud and John Townsend. I share excellent principles from that book in my post: Spiritual Weight Lifting, Part V. Here's the link: http://theattitudeofgratitudeinn.blogspot.com/2011/06/examples-of-healthy-principles.html<br /><br /> I really appreciate you dropping by, reading and sharing. Btw, you sound like you're a good friend.Pablohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17963540433054608632noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5944766913433542786.post-15133571493938757112012-02-05T13:24:32.783-08:002012-02-05T13:24:32.783-08:00I love this Pablo, “It’s reassuring knowing I have...I love this Pablo, “It’s reassuring knowing I have people in my life who deeply care about me. As I've said before, they are incarnational ambassadors of God's love for me. I love the acceptance, appreciation and closeness I get from my relationships with the Balcony People in my life." What a perfect description of a friend. Thank you for sharing. <br /><br />I believe we draw to us what we feel for ourselves in every moment. With that said, it changes from time to time depending on our emotional state. I have a handful of friend who when I speak with them seem to suck the energy from me leaving me crabby, tired, and not so happy. I choose to keep these long time friends at arm’s length. Others I cherish dearly and they know everyday that they are.Caryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13683722744802787954noreply@blogger.com