"Not a single week went by without him criticizing me for being optimistic and for never giving up despite being a "failure." Still, I tried to be understanding. I really did. I knew he was always stressed because he was going to graduate from college two years later than his peers. And I knew he felt insecure about not being as rich and successful as "everyone else.""
"It's hard to keep showing up with warmth and patience when the other person not only doesn't appreciate you but even attacks you for being "naive in the face of reality." (Yeah, he'd somehow convinced himself that I was in denial about my lack of success-as if the only way to react to failure were to get angry and frustrated.)"
A childhood friendship ended after five years of increasing rudeness and dismissiveness from a close friend named Andy. Weekly criticism targeted optimism and perseverance, labeling persistence as denial and failure. Attempts at understanding included acknowledging academic delays and financial insecurities, but persistent attacks eroded patience. Continued kindness became difficult when appreciation vanished and warmth was met with contempt. Repeated disrespect prompted a hard decision to end the friendship to protect well-being. Despite doubts about whether kindness was worthwhile, maintaining kindness alongside firm boundaries remained the chosen path. Lessons emerged on sustaining compassion without tolerating emotional harm.
Read at Tiny Buddha
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