Soul Guide

Dear Linda, A GOOD friend is near burn-out and she is bringing me down, too. She is seriously concerned about her adult daughter who recently broke up with her boyfriend of five years. She has taken sick leave from work and won’t talk to anyone. She expects my friend to look after her as if she were a child. My friend can’t see how it is dragging her down, and affecting her work and friendships. She spends hours talking about it. I have tried to tell her she can’t cope with this on her own but my advice falls on deaf ears. I am exhausted from the drama and feel guilty because I am avoiding contact. I would appreciate any advice. In gratitude, O.

ANSWER

DEAR O, You are right, your friend can’t cope alone. She needs to see her GP who will assess if her daughter needs professional help. Any break-up can be traumatic, but your friend’s daughter may be in depression. You have given as much advice as any friend can, but you can’t force your friend to take it. She will have to reach her own rock bottom and all you can do is be there for her when it happens. It is not selfish to protect your own energy field. This is not your problem — we can’t do anyone else’s journey for them.

÷ FIRST CARD: EIGHT OF AIR

YOU needn’t stay in your present situation if you’re unhappy. Although you may feel there’ s no way out, look again! There are plenty of possibilities for freeing yourself in a healthy, harmonious way. First, though, you must feel more confident. Believe in yourself and keep thoughts positive. The key to freedom and success at this time is to see the truth of the situation and then to act with faith.

÷ ADVICE/OBSTACLE: COMPASSION

RELEASE judgment and focus on the love and light that is within everyone. Gentleness is the strength behind true power, and it comes from feeding yourself with nourishing words, thoughts, deeds, intentions and food. Shield yourself from harshness by using an intention to attract only kind and gentle life lessons and relationships. This intention begins with your relationship with yourself. Be happy, be kind, be sweet, but most of all, be true to you.

÷ OUTCOME: BOUNDARIES

LOVE yourself enough to say no to others’ demands. A desire to give service is wonderful but there’s a distinction between giving of yourself and giving up yourself. If you feel tired, guilty or resentful when helping others, you’re not truly helping them — you’re injecting poisonous energy and no one benefits. Step back and reassess the situation. As you respect your own boundaries, others will begin to respect them within themselves as well.