Welcome Back

It's been more than a year since I last blogged. To be honest, I think I lost interest in a lot of things and blogging fell by the roadside. Lately though, I've been re-discovering things that I thought were gone and also discovering some things that I never knew existed. I've also been overtaken by a desire to express myself again... and voila, back to blogging.

I recently had an eye-opening evening, which brought the rest of my life into a kind of focus. I started to evaluate my own priorities and to really examine my relationships. I have always believed that relationships, friendships or otherwise, are a seesaw. Smart people know that they're never 50/50, but rather give and take. The problem comes in though when you realise that the seesaw has become stuck - especially if it is skewed away from you.

I also realised that there are many people in our lives who are "users" rather than "givers". Which doesn't help if you happen to be a "giver". You find yourself pouring energy into those people - helping them, nurturing them, being there for them. It's rewarding in its own way, but does nothing for you if you don't get anything back.

It's important to realise that you need to put the majority of your energy into yourself. If your batteries are run down, you're no good to anyone. Apart from that, it's also important to make sure that you are investing your energy wisely, in relationships that are meaningful and in people who take the time to invest energy in you in return.

In life, there are no "do overs". You usually only get one shot and it's important to make it a good one. Even if you end up getting hurt, if you can look back and be content with how you have handled a situation or the kind of friend you have been, then the battle is half won. Surround yourself with people that you love, but who also nurture you in return. Be there for the people who need you, even if they can't always return the favour. And finally, listen to the advice, the criticism and the praise - no matter how surprising the source. You may find that it contains a valuable lesson. At the very least, it deserves to be heard.

Until next time...