We've all had one of those situations where a good friend of ours feels the need to share something personal in their life.  Sometimes we are open to hear it and to be quite honest...sometimes we're not.

Whether the story is complaining about their nasty coworkers, their suckish job, their ungrateful kids or their demon spouse...whenever you hear these stories you start to get a little ticked off...like you're in their shoes, right? 

Would it be against the unwritten 'law of true friendship' for you to tell this person that you can no longer discuss this issue because it makes you feel....(fill in the blank)?  Or would that be considered placing 'conditions' on your friendship?

At first I thought...if this is your true friend, then this person should be able to discuss anything they want with you.  After all, that's what friends are for right? 

As spiritual beings, we have the power to just listen and not allow negative energy to invade our personal space.  God has given us all the means to protect ourselves...we weren't just catapulted to earth unarmed.  ;-)

With that said...if a good friend is discussing something that would normally tick you off, then you, as the powerful spiritual being that you are, should be able to detach yourself from this feeling of anger, hurt or pain that you are picking up. 

He/She is not responsible for YOUR reactions to his/her pain.  You are responsible.  Get it?  If they need to express themselves to you, then why not just let them vent?

Ok guys, if you know me, you also know that I have to play devil's advocate.

Why should I subject myself to a situation that I KNOW will tick me off? Why should I allow myself to be put in a situation that I feel isn't spiritually healthy for me?  As a child of God, I have a choice of what I will subject myself to,  but does that mean I'm not a true friend?

If I am infringing on our friendship by telling you that I can no longer discuss this issue with you because it makes me feel blah, blah, blah...  Then aren't you infringing on our friendship by discussing something with me that makes me feel hurt or pain?

Just something to think about. 

Peace!