How a Piece of Chewing Gum Can Foreshadow True Friendship
When to stick with certain friends and when to let go.
I’m finally at an age where it’s easier to let go of unhealthy relationships. I’m calling this my personal Cancel Culture.
That may sound harsh, but if you attract friends who do nothing but drain your time and energy, offering nothing in return, you will eventually wear yourself down.
It may take a while to realize what’s happening. It’s natural to give someone the benefit of the doubt when you first meet them. However, eventually, someone with no capacity for the mutual give-and-take of a healthy relationship reveals their true colors. That’s when it’s time to cut and run.
Admittedly, I’ve allowed too many one-sided friendships to monopolize my time over the years. Whether I was naïve or chickenshit, it doesn’t matter. I can never reclaim the hours and hours I gave to people who talked only about themselves — their kids, jobs, gripes, and lives in general.
Should I have seen what was happening earlier? Paid closer attention to my gut instinct?
Pondering those questions brings to mind a childhood memory. It’s one of those moments when the innocence of youth helps illustrate how adults can overcomplicate things. Our lives might be…
