April brings flowers and weeds and new allergies. I'll put up with the allergies to have the flowers. My irises are blooming.
I believe we all have our places in life. Sometimes I think mine is to continue to teach and to encourage. I don't like to see people abandon their dreams. There are some people who can let a friend stop chasing a dream but I can't do that without a fight.
What can a person do to help a friend who hits a dry spell? Can we help a friend when life plops its big self down and stops the flow of creativity or sucks out all energy to try?
Of course we can, if we really want to help or if our friend will let us help.
My suggestions.
Listen to what your friend says.
Be patient with your friend.
Listen to what your friend is really saying instead of what you think he or she should say.
Be patient with yourself while you try to find the best way to help.
Offer advice and lend a shoulder. Carry a crying towel and tissues and expect to get wet.
Listen to what your heart tells you but don't ignore what your brain says.
Accept what that person can give and be prepared to give more than usual.
Be patient with mistakes, yours and your friend's.
Listen.
Praise efforts and encourage even tiny steps.
Be patient.
Be prepared for your friend to take as many steps backwards as well as forwards and be close enough to cushion a fall.
Listen.
Help a fallen friend stand but don't try to stand for him or her.
Be patient.
Listen to your discouraged friend and let him or her quit. or at least change courses, if you've done all you can and even time and all your efforts don't get through.
Sometimes you just need to be a friend who accepts that your friend isn't ready to deal with discouragement or doesn't want success as much as you want it for him or her.
Maybe time will make the needed difference and maybe your friend will change what he or she needs.
Know when trying to help your friend causes harm to you, brings you down or makes you feel bad about yourself. Know if and when you have reached your limit.