Friends vs. the Economy

Friends are people we meet along this road of life. And just like a dirt or paved road you encounter rocks, trash and all other things that seem to impede your journey. That can be good or bad but either way it serves a purpose to help us get to the next mile; hopefully wiser and faster and learn to avoid the rocks and trash that line the roads. You can either push it to the side or pick it up. There too is another choice. Once you pick it up do you clean it off and find a gem or do you throw it back and keep on steppin'? I've learned there are no perfect people but perfect situations. And in all situations there are choices - the ones we see and the ones we don't. I have tried to live my life as honestly as possible. I have opened my heart and at times bared my soul to those whom I thought I could trust; any like most of us, have gotten burned in the process. So TODAY, as I travel on this road of life, I will forgive and let go of those people whom I've named as friends; the ones who have taken jobs away from me, held back important information that has severely impacted my day to day living, told vicious lies in order to get ahead, stood in my spotlight and claimed it as their own, and lastly threw me under the bus when they felt a more suitable person came into their lives. Is it the economy that is allowing me to see people as they really are? Or have I been blinded to it all along just to say I have a friend? What is the good in forgiving and letting go, you ask? It is for my own peace of mind and growth. Letting go....gone.