donslifejournal-blog

[donslifejournal-blog]

FRIENDSHIP

Just when you think There's no one around who's caring Along comes a friend Who offers a hand in sharing And things start looking fine Sometimes tears and sorrow Are all the things you got Just when you think You're all by yourself, you're not

—Kate & Allie Theme

A blue, brown, and swirling planet, a marvel of space filled with life and hope, and yet a single grain of sand in the infinite beach of the universe, this world is home to 7.8 billion unique people. In every city, country, and continent, each one of us is surrounded by countless other individuals, all of whom hopefully share the same desires and dreams as we do, not the least of which are to be happy and loved. We all share the same home that we call Earth. We are all neighbors, one giant, unified family of inherently ambitious and altruistic beings. As people who thrive on love and companionship, we are always looking for others with whom we can share our lives, our happiness, and our dreams, people who understand us and what we desire during our time in this terrestrial realm. We are always looking for one very special gift, one that has united humankind since the beginning of time: friendship.

As an overweight, academically exceeding kid in the 80s, and an awkward, confused teenager in the 90s, friendship was a rare commodity for me, being superseded by the ignorance and jealousy of my school peers. Through elementary and junior high school. I had very few real, long-lasting friends, and with the ones that I did have, either the friendship just ran its course, hopefully through no fault of my own, or one of us moved to another, far away location. Luckily, through the growing maturity, compassion, and open-mindedness that comes with adolescence, things began to change in high school. For the first time in a while, my heart finally felt the warmth and bliss of true friendship, mostly through various school clubs that involved some forms of peer leadership and volunteering for charities.

I remember one time in my freshman year when I went to a weekend retreat and training program at a local camp for one of these clubs. One night, my particular group of teens, our teacher leader, and I sat in a circle around a candle in one of the cabins, and we were all asked, one at a time, to share with the others an event, good or bad, that had a major impact in our lives. A few people went before me and shared some very moving stories, all of which, if I remember, involved the death of a beloved friend or family member. Then came my turn, and I told a rather different, maybe unexpected story. Uplifted by the kindness, empathy, and raw emotion that emanated from the others in the circle, I told everyone that the most impactful event in my life was the retreat itself. Admitting that I might be sounding corny, I said that, up until then, I never knew what true friendship was or whether I was even someone capable of someone's love, and that, at that precise moment, I finally felt like I had worth and purpose in others' lives. After I finished my speech, I burst into tears, being comforted by the back rubs, hugs, and kind words of the beautiful souls around me. The feeling I had that night, one of inexplicable warmth, was nothing like I had ever experienced, and it was one that remained with me for a very long time after that event.

Fast forward to 2020. Here I am, a guy of newly 40 who, like many other men, is inadvertently utilizing my living days examining the first half of my life under the microscope of my mind, pondering on where I go from here, what my purpose in life is, and how I can change the world, one part at a time, while nurturing my spirit that is always thirsting for fulfillment. And what better purpose could there be in life than offering friendship, making a difference in people's lives, and reminding them that, despite everything, there is at least one other soul out there that loves them? Over the past decade, I have been very fortunate to have a few long-lasting, very close friends. We've been through so much, we truly understand each other, and I hopefully have helped them through life's trials and experiences while showing them the love I yearn to share with everyone. Moreover, through the vast, ubiquitous marvel of social media and networking, I have had the opportunity to interact with thousands of wonderful people, my earthly neighbors and spiritual kin, some family, some dear friends, some old acquaintances, and yet others whom I've had the pleasure of just meeting. I've been spending my time lately communicating with several of these special people, all of whom share the same desire to love and be loved, to experience the comfort and inner peace of knowing that there's someone out there who cares enough to give the very best. I've been making sure to let them know that I love them and am there for them, and in the time we've known each other, short or long, I've tried my very best to help them in this meandering journey we call life. And when they tell me what I mean to them and how I've helped them, I experience the fulfillment that, I know now, is my life's purpose. It's a wonderful feeling, knowing that, somehow, in some way, I have made a difference in another person, and, in return, being rewarded with the pleasure of their presence in my life.

To you reading this, whether you are an old or new friend or even someone who happened to come across this blog, I want you to know that I love you dearly, you are important to me, I value your place in my life, and I am and will always be here for you, no matter what. And with that being said, I humbly ask you to share these sentiments with the special people in your life. Always remind your friends of your undying love and support for them, stay in their lives through whatever fate may toss your way, and do whatever you can to make them happy to be alive. Don't just make a difference in their lives; be the difference.

Sometimes shadows will darken our path; we shall tremble in fear before the night. But we won't be alone. We will reach out our hands, and in the warmth of another hand holding our own, we will know hope.

—Lightning Farron, Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII

[donslifejournal-blog]

WELCOME!

Hello, my friends! I sincerely hope that this post finds you in good health and bright spirits. My name is Donald Durant III, and I extend my warmest welcome to my blog, Don's Life Journal. Here I will be sharing some of the many thoughts that course through the twisting roads of my mind, maybe ask for or get your opinion on current events or hot topics, and, hopefully, give some insight and help some of you in the process.

I created this blog out of a suggestion made by a therapist with whom I've had a couple of sessions so far. After a period of continuous unfortunate events and the subsequent, debilitating depression that resulted, this therapist gave me some sage advice that I've really taken to heart: don't preoccupy yourself with the now unalterable events of the past, and as long as you do your best and pursue any and all opportunities for personal growth, then you and everyone around you will be happy. After having made considerable mental health progress, my therapist asked me what was something that I've learned from this experience, and one of the things I said to him was, "The best that I can do is good enough for me, and it is good enough for everybody else." Surprisingly, he said that was a very powerful thing to say and that I should write it down. Who knew that I would be asked to immortalize my own spur-of-the-moment quote?

Another thing that my therapist suggested I do was start a journal, which I have attempted to do several times, usually starting on January 1 as a New Year's resolution, but always failed to maintain. I always thought journals were a time capsule of some sort, a keepsake that you could look back on a decade or so later on your trip down memory lane. In my case, though, I've always wondered, what memorable experiences did ordinary old me have to record on paper? I even tried themed and guided journals, but they in themselves became a tedious, monotonous chore, something that my organizational, routine-oriented mind felt I had to do every day without fail, lest the incomplete task cause me anxiety. And then it hit me, something that I regret not having thought of earlier at a time when it would've been useful; why not record my thoughts in a blog? By only publishing new posts when something comes to mind, I'm spared of the self-imposed obligation and ennui of making it a daily bedtime ritual on my mental checklist. Moreover, it's fun and exciting, and the fact that others might possibly benefit from it gives me the motivation I need.

I sincerely thank you for reading my inaugural post. I hope you will find it entertaining, informative, and maybe even a little amusing. Being a novitiate to the temple of online blogging, if you have any questions, comments, or suggestions, please contact me in whichever way you'd like. It's time for a little journey into the annals of my psyche, and you're welcome to come along for what I hope will be a memorable venture.