Dear Proteas,
“I live in that solitude which is painful in youth, but delicious in the years of maturity.” -Albert Einstein.
There is a difference between solitude and loneliness. Solitude is the ability to enjoy your own company. It allows you to feel happy being with yourself. Solitude can be healthy, allowing you to self-reflect and do things that help you grow. In solitude, you learn to let go of the things that no longer serve you without remorse. You find resilience within you: if you can overcome things alone, you can survive many things. On the other hand, loneliness is a state of sadness about being alone, which can lead to a lack of personal discipline and a feeling of self-pity due to a lack of company.
“A friend to all is a friend to none.” -Aristotle.
Should you consider every person in your life a friend? I read somewhere that three kinds of persons exist in your life (leaf, branch, and root persons). Like the seasons, leaf persons come and go. Like strength, branch persons break away during storms. Like tree roots, root persons are well-grounded; they stay no matter the storms or seasons (but they are very rare, so if you find one or two, cherish them).
“Everyone wants to ride with you in the limo, but what you want is someone who will take the bus with you when the limo breaks down.”- Oprah Winfrey.
Why is it important to categorize relationships (e.g., acquaintance, friend, partner, professional relationship, etc.) accordingly? You can work hard to accomplish everything you want in life and be surrounded by disloyal persons who envy you. When things fall apart, you may be unable to rely on them, and they may enjoy seeing you suffer. So, just as you work hard towards professional success, it is equally important to work hard to have persons in your life who contribute to your success or want to see you succeed.
"When someone shows you who they are, believe them the first time." -Maya Angelou.
Is it better to be alone than to have bad company? It is essential to be aware of who you have in your life. You may not always know their intentions, but you can categorize them into different categories (e.g., leaf, branch, root) based on past experiences and your intuition. Based on this, you can promote, demote, or terminate relationships accordingly.
Disclaimer: This blog is for information and educational purposes only. It does not constitute medical or legal advice, and we are not responsible for any damages related to your use of this information.
Commentaires