Oct. 20, 1999: One day we grow up… well, not all of us. Sometimes as we progress in our hopes and dreams we leave others behind. Those “friends” often feel betrayed or lost, but in the end there is little left to say. When someone says that they trust you and believe in you as a person that is a great gift, but when that same person later turns to you and says that they think everything you do is wrong. Sure, it’s wrong…. for them. Obviously it is only right for you or you wouldn’t have done it. If a friend says that they will always be there and then that friend runs off to find other friends, is that fair? Is it your duty to stay in contact with that friend when they don’t return your phone calls or e-mails? Or when they do call or write they bash every decision you make; then they tell you their problems, so you try to relate. But, instead of consultation you get another ear full of why they are better then you. Would you honestly want to call that person a friend. Suppose that friend has taken advantage of you for over ten years. Has mistreated you and belittled you infront of women, often degrading your image. Has constantly reminded you how important their work is compared to you. That is not a friend. That is an abusive relationship. No one should ever feel the need to stay in that relationship. It is not your fault that person is immature or disillusioned. Drugs, alcohol, and illicit behavior have destroyed their mind. That is not your fault. If they choose to destroy their body and betray a drug free lifestyle all you can do is stand back and wish them well. That is not your problem. Those who run away from their problems will only find them catch up with even more vigor and pain then originally. If they are jealous because you have found true love through hard work and dedication, but their lying sleazy ways have gotten them nowwhere, don’t feel bad for them… that was their choice. If they are jealous of what you have (and even claim they had it first when they didn’t even really take the time to get to know the person) and they are angry because they walked away from perfection because they were too stupid to see it, they are the foolish one. So move on… I will. If another friend tells you that they want time with their signifigant other and you grant them that time. Then, when their relatioship starts to teeter and they come back to hang out with you like old times. The problem is you’ve grown up and moved on to other things, old times are long dead. If that friend then attacks the person that you love and demands they are controlling; when in reality you have choosen to be with them. Suppose all is you want is the time that your friend was alloted to be with his “love”. But, that friend won’t grant you that time with your love. That isn’t a friend either. No one has stolen you or told you what to do. If you’re in love and someone is jealous of that… well, frankly that too is their problem. People like these are not your friends… they are angry, jealous, and decietful. In the end you not at fault. You have grown up and it is not your job to make them do the same. That is their problem, not yours… in the end there is nothing to say…