"As social animals a key factor to our living a happy life is friendship, trust and openness. We are all the same as members of one human family. Trust is the basis of friendship and we’ll find this if, in addition to the knowledge we gain from ordinary education, we develop warm-heartedness. This gives rise to self-confidence and inner strength, which through trust and friendship leads to co-operation with others." - the Dalai Lama
Paranoid schizophrenia makes it so hard to trust and build the friendships that are so necessary to us all. And I know that it doesn't even take a mental illness to cause trust to be challenging if you've been hurt.
This quote above reminds me how important it is to try to trust in people and to give them a chance to be there for you. Not everyone you meet will turn into a friend, but spending time communing with other people is one of the best things someone with a mental illness can do for themselves. Just like anyone else, you do need to be careful not to be taken advantage of, but given a chance people can surprise you, too.
It's a two-way street... being in the life of someone who is mentally ill means (to me) being mindful of more things... kindness, being trustworthy and honest and most of all, coming from a place of loving kindness and support, leaving any prejudices someplace far away from my friend. Being your friend helps me be a better person. Thank you.
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