BARBARA'S TCHATZKAHS

An article I posted: Tempered by Fire - got a tremendous amount of hits and links in. I wrote it early in the morning while my kids were getting ready for school, almost as a 'throw away' post. I got a lot of very supportive and fascinating mail from that post as well... and it made me think. I realize in not trying and just letting my thoughts flow organically (my favorite way of writing) I spoke something about myself. Something that has been true of me for as long as I can remember. My adherence towards altruism. Many times on this blog I have said that through helping others I have achieved a lot of healing and transcendence. I am one of those people who has always done whatever I could to make others feel better. I am now working through therapy, to do for myself as much as a I do for others. I would love to end suffering everywhere but since I can't, I do it for the victims I advocate for and for my friends, who reach out to me. Yes, I do feel their pain . ...

Mine is being a real friend and not a "yes man." Mine is believing 2 wrongs don't make a right. Mine is not believing in revenge, hate or 'payback.' Even when maybe I should... "A real friend is someone who accept you for you, no strings attached. A real friend is someone who knows all the good and the not-so-good about you and still likes you. A real friend is someone who will do anything to help you in a crisis. A real friend is the person you call to share the happiness of the day or the frustrations of life, and listens though you may have said the same things a hundred times before. A real friend is a person who compliments your personality, challenges your choices, and accepts you regardless of the mistakes you make in life. Real friends are few in ones life and when you find one, return the favor and be a real friend back." Yes my 'blind spot' is believing in and doing anything for my friends (except lying) and people I care about - even ...