Monday, January 7, 2013

Swallow your pride ...


Bill Withers' classic "Lean on Me" has more meaning now to a lot of us than it did when it was released nearly 40 years ago.
We shouldn't be afraid to borrow our friends' shoulder when we have problems. Talk to someone if you're down or upset.
I've learned - and am learning - who my friends are. And this is in a good way.
Friends are there for you in times of trouble as well as times of joy. If someone came to you with a problem, you wouldn't deny them. You'd give them your shoulder to cry on or "lean on."
"Lean on me, when you're not strong
"And I'll be your friend,
"I'll help you carry on.
"For it won't be long
"'Til I'm gonna need
"Somebody to lean on."
So, don't deny yourself the same thing when a friend offers counsel, consoling or even their shoulder.
"Swallow your pride," as Withers wrote.
Friends are doing this for you because they want, as much as you would like a friend to lean on you.
After all,
"Sometimes in our lives
"We all have pain
"We all have sorrow.
"But if we are wise
"We know that there's always tomorrow."