We all go down a narrow road sometimes

[littleharp24]

Have you ever met someone and become friends with them and they are at a point in their lives that you have already been in. I have a friend who is unemployed right now and is going through hell because his former employer and Worker's Comp did him wrong. I've been down a similiar road and all I want to do is help him out but I don't know how. I'd love to go his former workplace and do this  on the doorstep as my brother in law said to me when my workplace was treating me wrong but then that would be getting down to their level. I guess all I can do is be there for him and pray that things get better from here. I try not to talk about it too much but so far he's been really cool about it. Anyone ever been in this situation before? It's rough out there and to me what sucks is noone ever tells you how hard life really is, you have to find out and climb those mountains yourself. Maybe I can be the friend who is the rope to help him get up there. ;-)

[nordicnicki]

i cant say that i have been friends with someone who is now where i have been....but i have been that person who is in a place others have been.
all i can say is that i found comfort in knowing that my friend was there and understood exactly what i was going through,they helped by guiding me and listening....i dont think that i could have gotton through it if they hadnt been in the situation i was in

[high maintenence]

yes, i have been in those shoes several times before and I always find myself trying to help too much...i feel for that person so much that I put too much into telling them what to do and I help them in ways that I shouldn't... this has happened to me too many times and I always get burned... be careful, because some people will take advantage of your care and kindness

[littleharp24]

Yeah thanks guys! I agree with watch out because people can take advantage of you. Also I remember when I was unemployed and people were trying to be helpful but it can be annoying when people suggest this and this and this but you know what you can do or have done to help yourself. For now, I'm praying for my friend and when he wants to talk about his situation I am there to listen. This might sound crazy but listening to music can help you when you are depressed and having a hard time and I did that when I was unemployed. 

[Cathy]

I agree, Littleharp, music is very powerful, when I'm not playing my bass or guitar I usually have music on while I write or surf the net. Do you have any particular uplifting favourites?

[littleharp24]

My favorite country group is Rascal Flatts and they have a great song called "Stand". One of my favorite lines in the song is...
"Life's like a novel, with the end ripped out. Jump a canyon, with only one way down. Take what you're given before it's gone, start holdin' hold keep holdin' on." The song talks about how you go through hard times but you get up and don't let it get to you. The first time I heard the song it reminded me of my uncle who has a lung condition similiar to cystic fibrosis. Although it's a horrible thing to live with he never complains. I'm sure though he feels miserable though on certain days but he is always so positive and laughing that we just don't see it. This is what I love about him. It's like he says I have this disease but it doesn't have to have me!  Music reminds us of things, helps us deal with things, and keeps us going. Gotta love music! 

[high maintenence]

I certainly wish that I could be like your uncle. That's the kind of person I'd like to be. I try not to complain, but I don't feel good very often and you can definitely tell it. I used to be a hospice nurse and I know many people like your uncle. I had some patients that were so happy all of the time even though they were laying on their death bed. Some of them were sicker than you could imagine. I did have some that were stricken with depression and that changed things for them totally. Depression is something that brings us down into being people that we don't want to be. I want to be the person with the positive outlook on life and I want to be uplifting to the people around me, but that's not the way it is. Unfortunately, being around people that are depressed is depressing for others.

[francie]

Hello, High!

i can relate to what you're saying.  i think you're doing the right thing by being a supportive, caring friend. 

it's true, life isn't fair and we all have to climb those mountains alone.  but it's not so lonely when a friend is there to support us, and give advice when we ask for it!

you've always been a caring person!  i bet you'd do anything to see your friend through.  ~francie

[high maintenence]

It's great to hear from you, Francie!!!