Hello mi neighbour | Face difficulties with a positive attitude

Wishing you peace, joy and happiness all your days! Already enjoying these? Been a while since you experienced such luxuries? If so, it’s my sincere wish that that will change sooner than later. Maybe your melancholy mood prevents you from accepting these wishes at the moment. Empty words spoken ever so often? Are you thinking that if neighbours were genuine with these sentiments they would have helped to pull you out of those circumstances that are causing you anxiety, despair and sadness? Can’t make head or tail of life and just want someone to assist you? Life can certainly be difficult and confusing at times, but if we constantly fix our gaze on those difficulties, life will never improve for us. Many times the difficulties we face are designed to make us strong and sharpen our coping skills. Face them with a positive attitude and you will be glad they came. I wish you well.

It’s important to note that not everyone who “wishes you well, means you well”. Many times, kind wishes are expressed because they are expected or because it is the appropriate/polite thing to say under some circumstances. Do you think that everyone who wishes you a “happy birthday”, a “happy anniversary” or success on your job interview really means it? Hmmmmm. It’s common knowledge that expressions of goodwill don’t always reflect genuine intentions, suggesting some people offer superficial support or may even secretly harbour ill will towards you. It’s important therefore to be able to discern true friends from those with hidden motives by observing their actions and consistency, not just their words however profound they may sound. That so-called “good friend” who heard about your loss and turns up at your house to commiserate with you, may just show up to use your vulnerability to their advantage down the road. Not everything that glitters is gold. Not saying that you should go suspecting everybody now, and putting yourself at a disadvantage in a time of need. Just be subtly alert. Sometimes people are so jumpy that they “jump the gun” and have to bite the bullet. Don’t be “trigger happy”.

These scenarios can further put you on your guard. People may say “I wish you well” or “all the best” out of politeness, habit, or to appear supportive, even if they don’t truly care about your happiness or success.

Some persons may offer suspicious-sounding well-wishes because they are jealous, competitive, or secretly hope for your downfall. Careful! Others might cloak ill-will in compliments, making it hard to tell if they genuinely want good for you. Sometimes it may be difficult to tell the difference between the genuine and the non-genuine, but by keeping your eyes and mind open, you will detect consistency/inconsistencies.

True well-wishers show up in actions, not just words, offering support during tough times, not just celebrating successes.

Pay close attention to how people make you feel; if someone’s “wishes” feel disingenuous or leave you feeling worse than before, they may not have your best interests at heart. Would be a plus to to have a trusted friend/family member as a right hand who will assist you in being cautious, not blindly trusting everyone’s kind words, and evaluating the sincerity of their intentions? And hey, even with this right-hand person, still “don’t leave yourself careless” as we say in Jamaica– not everyone wants the best for you. Don’t let others influence your mind and dictate how you should live your true passion. This is the age of deception.

Be not deceived. As you wish others well, bear the following in mind. “I wish you well” means you hope good things will happen to someone. It’s a way to express goodwill and friendly feelings toward another person. Well wishes are kind words, either spoken or written, that share a desire for a person to have good health or good things etc. Not all friends are well-wishers. As you walk with others, don’t just witness their journey, support it. Be careful. Careful loyalty is rare, and presence doesn’t always mean love – and don’t some people know that! Life improves when you learn to wish people well despite everything. Keep on wishing them well. And don’t leave out those who may even hate or despise you. Here, I remember my mother and a good friend who kept on pouring out love on people who hated them. Loving your enemies always produces win-win outcomes. Guess you’ll never know unless you try it eeh? Go for it...

The grace and love we extend to others is subconsciously the same that we give to ourselves. Love no matter what. Just because you wish someone well does not mean they have to return the favour. And don’t feel obligated to to return a favour to someone who has done you a kind favour. Those who show kindness to others without expecting anything in return usually receive divine favour. Wouldn’t you like to be blessed and highly favoured? Love your enemies as yourself.

Wishing you peace, joy and happiness all your days!

KINDLY HELP A NEIGHBOUR WITH ONE OF THE FOLLOWING;

1. Stove

2. Refrigerator

3. Bed

4. Food

5. Help with medication

6. Financial assistance to start a little business

To help, please call Silton Townsend @ 876 649-9636/876 884-3866 or deposit in acct #351 044 276 NCB. Alternatively, send donations to Hello Neighbour C/o 53 Half-Way Tree Road, Kingston 10; Paypal/credit card: email: zicron22@yahoo.com. Contact email: helloneighbour@yahoo.com. Visit hellomineighbourja.blogspot.com. Townsend exclusively manages the collections and distributions mentioned in this column and is neither an employee nor agent of The Gleaner.