Problem Shared Problem Halved

Having a heart to heart talk with a good friend gives us a chance to vent all of the frustrations and life's ups and downs, disappointments, and pent up emotions that we've been carrying around can really stress us out. When we explain our problems to someone and put thoughts into words, the process can help us sort out the trivial from the traumatic. Many a times, I would approach my close friend almost on the verge of tears and panic only to smile and feel so much lighter emotionally afterwards.

There is no mystery to this, even when the problem does not resolve by talking, at the very least the burden felt halved when shared. Discussing stressors in our life also helps us organize and categorize them in our own mind, leading us closer to a possible resolution. Many a times, hearing someone say, "That must be tough," is a good reminder that we are not to feel guilty about being stressed when life is difficult. It also gives us the reassurance that we are not alone in facing life's challenges.

A true friend only gets in your way when you are heading in the wrong direction.