I am always happy when my friends succeed in their writing and receive flowers for it. Though I have not been allowed to teach any creative writing classes, I am always happy for my students when they win writing awards for their first year writing. I am not immune to jealousy, envy, and frustration, but I just don't have it in me to be backbiting, two-faced or cruel to my fellow writers especially if they are my friends .On the other hand, If they are shitty people who are shitty to other people no matter who they are, that's a different story. I don't lash out at them. I just know who they are, limit my time with them and avoid them if possible. In the end, we can't take it with us, so why not spread joy and share community instead. There is always enough to go around though we have been trained by the systems to believe otherwise. Life's too short.
Yes - it's really important, if at all possible, to avoid the people who drive us batshit. It's definitely interesting at times to be near them, but in one or two cases, I get awful headaches with prolonged exposure. As much as I can, I try to have a sense of humor about things that bother me, but no surprise, I'm not always successful.
Yes to all this--and to the dogs in hats.
Ha! Thank you, Barb - dogs in hats forever!
Great post, Christine. Nail on the head. Derogatory thoughts make for awkward conversations (but good fodder for stories).
Yes! We all have them but I keep thinking lately about what I believe is a Buddhist teaching - think three times before you speak.
Amen, sister!
❤️ Thank you, Sarah - hope the travels have been going well!
I am always happy when my friends succeed in their writing and receive flowers for it. Though I have not been allowed to teach any creative writing classes, I am always happy for my students when they win writing awards for their first year writing. I am not immune to jealousy, envy, and frustration, but I just don't have it in me to be backbiting, two-faced or cruel to my fellow writers especially if they are my friends .On the other hand, If they are shitty people who are shitty to other people no matter who they are, that's a different story. I don't lash out at them. I just know who they are, limit my time with them and avoid them if possible. In the end, we can't take it with us, so why not spread joy and share community instead. There is always enough to go around though we have been trained by the systems to believe otherwise. Life's too short.
Yes - it's really important, if at all possible, to avoid the people who drive us batshit. It's definitely interesting at times to be near them, but in one or two cases, I get awful headaches with prolonged exposure. As much as I can, I try to have a sense of humor about things that bother me, but no surprise, I'm not always successful.