Title: About Me and the Contract for Friendship
with credit to Bob Sawtelle, Beloved Teacher
When I tell you I want to be friends with you
What I mean is that there is something in that Relationship for Me.
It can be companionship;
or someone to talk & share things with;
or a feeling of trust and perfect security;
or the sharing of joy or pain.
And in exchange for receiving What I Want out of that Relationship,
I will “pay you back” with those things I perceive you want and need
as long as they don’t cost me too much.
If the cost becomes higher than what I perceive I receive,
then you can rely on me to stop being your friend.
Robert Jorrie,
1986