Same ole, same old...

Hell for me is not a fiery pit of pain and anguish. Instead it would be a life of opening my ears to the same people with the same bullshit everyday for an eternity. And while they are okay with the fact the cyclical nature of their issues usually points at a fault in them, I can do nothing but listen. Ears bleeding, eyes wide open and listening. The thought causes a single tear to roll down my face. Okay, Maybe, it doesn't. I was adding a hint of drama. Nevertheless, I digress. 

I've outgrown many of the people in my life. And though I hate the phrase, "Eagles fly alone," it seems very apparent that the more one grows in this world, the more isolated he or she becomes. Honestly though, how many times is it okay to listen to the same lame song about people's fixable problems without snapping on them about the reality they exist in!? I want to be a great friend, yet, a part of me feels like I've enabled some of the people in my life by just listening.

Well, I'm no longer doing that. Because it frustrates me to a degree that almost feels like anger. And I don't get angry. So, before I go down that road, I'll take myself out of the equation first. 

Case in point: I've had several friends in the same financial situation for quite some time. They drink and party and want to "live the life" but complain about being broke. About working at 'shitty' jobs. About not having a degree. Or friends who have the same questions about their faux relationships, how they can't bag the chick or dude that they're cheating with, etc. etc. etc. Or the friend with body image issues (pause) Let me not even elaborate.

What I'm learning is that I've extended my thresholds to a point that has made people way too comfortable with me in their lives. And that ends now. I literally told my mom today, if I can predict the nature of your rant about your siblings, its probably because YOU have done nothing to change things on your end. Learned helplessness is an enabler's best friend. Used so often that you neglect yourself, your time, and your happiness. Unfortunately enough for my friends, I am NO LONGER taking applications for this particular job. And I refuse to be helpless to the emotional leeches in my life. 

I guess what I've had is a revelation. My ear is closed to any banter that is not grounded in solutions-based resolve. I get you. Sometimes, people just need to vent. And that's fine. But its not fine all the time. We (humans) have full capacity to make this world work for us, to tip the scales in our favor. And yet some of us remain in a rut while we maintain friendships that do nothing to facilitate growth out of that rut. 

Well, you can count on this: I am not longer entertaining that same old bullshit.