*Friendship Is A Priceless Gift *

Helen Steiner Rice

-----Part 2 -----

I realized after months that having a man would never make me happy, I expected he could, that when we'd come home together in the evenings that we'd be able to spend time together. But life shows me sometimes he may have to go, sometimes I have to do things. Then one day I understood that happiness was my responsibility. I realized that if I'm going to be happy, it's a choice that I have to make, that other people couldn't make me happy, either. I can choose the attitude that helps me to be happy.

Now I'm not here to share with you that I think it's the main thing that makes a difference in our lives. I mean attitude won't overcome incompetence. I mean you may have a great attitude at work, but if you're incompetent, you're still probably going to get fired. The only difference is, you'll be happy.



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The things stand out to me that can help us to do what's right when things turn out wrong are to add value to others. While things were going badly for me, I can invest into others and continue to add value to their lives. Instead of being consumed with what was wrong with my life, I say, Instead of that, I'm going to think of others too regardless in life that I have major concerns.

Whatever I do, God makes sure that it works out for my best and nonetheless I can invest in helping others with their dreams.

The natural tendency for all of us is to pull back and withdraw inside of ourselves when difficult times come. We may think of ourselves, our bad situation, and how difficult it is.

In my life, as I seek to add value to people, I discovered the primary way to help myself is to VALUE PEOPLE, to be honest with you, I'm going to withdraw that investment if I don`t.

Some leaders who devalue their people, living only to get the best for themselves, not for the best of others, not understanding their leadership responsibility. Well, if I'm going to (add value) to you, the first thing I must do is to (value you) is my personal feeling on this matter.

I value what I was taught, the principles I've learned from good people and when I value somebody, I prefer to invest in them by adding (value) to their lives; when I know and relate to what they value.

I have noticed also we add to people when we MAKE OURSELVES MORE VALUABLE. As I get better and improve, I am able to help others; having the potential to help others improve.

When we DO THE THINGS THAT GOD VALUES, those things that have an eternal nature, thereby we can add to another person, we can be more patient to wait on a dream. Now, that's not always easy but I realize that tribulation brings it forward.

If I am going to survive, to get out of my prison type state I live in. I need to remember myself, to balance my life well and when things are not going well, I need to speak good words and think good thoughts.

Dreams are conceived long before they're realized but to be a ruler or leader, I need to tell my story before others. To be released from my prison of past hurt and pain or to forget or remember myself; I need to remind myself I AM A GOOD PERSON And not worry how others are going to respond when I expose myself to the world in a proper manner!



© Copyright Marilyn Blanchard 2009
Friendship is a priceless gift