The Jealousy of the Circle

Dear Delyara, Success can be a 'Fire' that burns your friendships. When I finally achieved my dream of opening the Sanctuary, I thought my 'Circle' would be there to celebrate. Instead, I saw the flames of jealousy. Friends I had known for decades started making 'jokes' about my success, or they stopped calling altogether. The fire was the pain of realizing that some people only liked me when I was struggling alongside them. It was a lonely time, standing in the heat of their resentment. I had to choose: do I shrink myself to make them comfortable, or do I let them walk away? I chose to let them go. My Victoria came when a stranger walked into the Sanctuary and told me my work had saved their life. I realized my new 'Circle' was being built on purpose, not just history. The victory was realizing that I don't need everyone to like me, as long as I am doing what I was born to do.