Stay strong, sistah!

The older I get the more I realize how much I strongly dislike weak and dependent people. I mean, we are all at times weak and dependent, but I am talking about people who try to soak up the strength of others- like a sponge. I once read somewhere that the things you dislike about other people are actually subconscious manifestations of the self. Maybe I dislike these kinds of people because I am so afraid of becoming like them.

This sounds harsh, and I don't mean it to be. Life is hard, but we're not going to get anywhere complaining about it and hanging off other people. We have to support each other- that is the only way that we can maintain strength! In grade 10 we read "The Body" by Stephen King, and I'll never forget how the very-wise-for-his-age 11 year old main character states, "Your friends will drag you down". It isn't always true, but sometimes it is. What do you do with those friends? Cut them out of your life? Never- that is easy and cheap. Carry them? To what extent? Support them and try and give them advice? What if they don't hear you?

Listen? I think that must be it. Try and be compassionate and maintain consciousness. But remain removed so as not to be affected by negativity?

The question is- how much should we help those who are not willing to help themselves???