I agree with you about how the question is worded. I, too, had to assume that it was a question of semantics that had to do with the style of writing nearly 100 years ago.

On the other hand, most of what Napoleon Hill said then is clear and straightforward, so I’m not sure.

I don’t see much of a point in getting sympathy for a problem if you’re not going to at least try to do something to solve the problem.

I don’t know if this is a difference between men and women, or not. Some say that it is, but I know lots of women who don’t want sympathy. When they identify a problem they want to talk about it, but they also look for ways to overcome it.

I know others, both men and women, who just want someone to commiserate with them, and that just drives me crazy after a time or two.

I’ve recognized this in myself earlier this year, and I’m doing all I can to stop wallowing in self-pity and to find a way to overcome the problems and move forward with my life. Yes, some things happened that weren’t in my plan. Yes, some of them were very difficult to come to terms with.

No, I’m not going to continue to complain about them. I’m going to find a way to overcome them.

I get no pleasure nor comfort from sympathy and very little from self-pity.

So, semantics aside, if a friend or relative has a problem, I’m always ready to listen - as long as they are looking for ways to solve it and move on with their lives.

Sometimes I can help, other times I can’t, but I’m willing to try.

All the best,

JD

On the other post I said I don’t have lots of close friends. But I do know a lot of people, and they do tend to come to me with their problems. And I help people work through their problems, professional and personal. I also do executive coaching when I can, so you can see how that would work.

I don’t want them coming to me for sympathy, though. I don’t want to just listen and not help. That’s where I have an issue with how the question is worded. Otherwise, I love to help.
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