Friday Johnku

~ John W. Howell

Friday glorious Friday. Yes it’s true another eight hours to freedom. As we all know, freedom is just another word for nothing left to lose. So how did the week go? Was it as productive as you wanted it to be? Was it as hectic? Here sit down and lean back and tell me all about it.

Wouldn’t it be great to have someone who would provide that service? Our loved ones do provide support, but there comes a point where our complaints, no matter how legitimate they may seem to us, sound like whining. It is why I think a service could be very beneficial. You go in. You talk about what bothers you and the service listens and provides you with sympathetic support. Of course the service might be expensive. I’m thinking how much it cost to visit a therapist only to be asked, “how does that make you feel?” Then after tons of money spent there is that divining moment where the therapist says, “that’s where it is at. Isn’t it John?”

To avoid the expense maybe the same effect can be reached at the corner bar. Of course at the bar you will be forced to hear other stories and provide the same sympatric support as you received. In some cases given the troubles you will hear you will be giving an inordinate amount of support relative to what you get back. Maybe a dog is the answer. Our Johnku today explores the concept of sympathy. Hope you like it. Oh and the term Johnku was coined by the wonderful blogger Words4jp.

 

Sympathy by John W. Howell ©2014

Trials are faced alone,

Then one too heavy weighs in . . .

Beg for sympathy.

41 thoughts on “Friday Johnku”

    1. Janis Joplin(poor dear) dies when she was 27. She had a little too much fame and not enough self esteem. “Me and Bobby McGee is a somewhat tragic song as drugs and mayhem got in the way of two people’s happiness. “Somewhere near Salinas I let him slip away. . .”

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  4. I love Janis Joplin and I love that johnku. It’s true, sometimes (often times) you just need a “service” to spill your guts too and then be guided toward some resolution or acceptance. A good therapist can do that for you in a shorter time than you can do it on your own … but note that I said a “good” therapist. Or just someone you trust to be objective … but that’s still a tall order when you’re close like with family, friends, coworkers. Not sure why I’m rambling on except that I’m so relieved it’s finally Friday. This week at work has been about as grueling as my business trip the week before. TGIF 😉

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  5. Good one! Sometimes I wish I could go hang out at a bar, but it is not me – I talk quite a bit to walls and of course the most inexpensive therapist of all – Sydnee Pee. She may not say much (actually nothing but maybe a grunt) but she lets me lie my head on her. That is something:) Come to think of it, maybe a grunt is really the most appropriate response of them all?

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    1. I would take a grunt anytime. I have four totally understanding pets. Two dogs and two cats. They listen, understand, and provide the best advice.(usually silence. which then leads me to a resolution). Have a nice weekend.

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  6. I imagine the same effect could be had at the corner bar. The bill would probably be smaller too. Here in the UK I suspect we get away with more whining than Americans do. I enjoyed the Johnku as always.

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    1. Thanks. I always enjoyed whining with the lads in the pub on visits to London. Seems everyone has an opinion. In the US a person will have an opinion, but is reluctant to share it.

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  8. I had a long one-sided philosophical discussion with my husband this morning. Then I realized he was still sleeping…. 🙂
    Love this John! I bet there’s an app for that…

    Thanks for bringing it to the party. I saw that you had already stopped by Modern Philosopher’s place. I’m so glad you’re mingling with the guests!!

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  11. John.. I came over from Susie’s Place – I love the idea of shared therapy – it’s much cheaper and just requires time.. the idea of a corner bar might be (at least for me) creating a new problem – alcoholism… but isn’t blogging just another form of therapy? Have a great day – make it count!

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  12. Hey, I came over from Susie’s party. Great post, great idea, and especially great music.

    I just wrote a long whining email to my husband away on business. Somehow the universe knew to delete that sucker just before I hit send. So I sent him a picture of my rosebush in full bloom instead. Probably for the best… But I started to think that there should be some widget that detects excessive bitching and gives a “are you sure you want to send this?” popup first.

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  13. This reminds me of something Mother Theresa said (not exact quote nut the meaning is the same)

    Poeple suffer in third world countries becuase they have not help and medicine, people suffer in industrial countries because they have no one to talk to, no one who listens.

    By the way.. Susie set me… http://tenyearsingermany.wordpress.com

    Have a nice day.

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  14. I follow your blog anyway, but Susie’s party got me here faster than I’ve been clearing out my email. 🙂 First, you picked one of my all time favorite songs to lead with, so I was grooving as I read your John ku. Very clever…and too true. 🙂

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