Meno and Friends #joy #light

Meno grew up with neighbors who became his friends, he didn’t set out to become friends with all of them, so what happened?

Well, he had befriended Fear who just moved into the neighborhood and kept coming to tell him about all the new things happening and gradually they became fast friends, it was Fear who brought Doubt, Low Self-esteem and many other friends of his.

They were so many that they drowned out Meno’s voice, he couldn’t try or do anything. He wanted to try out for the school’s essay competition but Fear and his friends kept discouraging him and telling him, “it will not work.” Negativity said.

“They are others better than you, why bother if you are going to fail?” Low self esteem said.

“What do you even know, that makes you think you can win an essay competition?” Doubt asked.

Can you stand in front of people to defend your essay? they will look down on you.” Fear said.

They went on and on till Meno decided not to try just to get them to keep quiet. He was tired of their constant whining but he didn’t know how to shake them off, they went to the same school and were always at the same place.

When he tried to forcefully shake them up or make friends with new people, they still followed him and kept heckling and mocking till one of them called, Shame brought him back.

Meno felt that was how things were supposed to be and resigned to life with them. During these times Envy will sit with him and show him how everyone was better than him, if he tried to deny it, Hopeless will tell him not to bother.

One day, a new family came to the neighborhood and their son, Joy tried to make new friends and came to Meno.
Initially he didn’t want to give him attention but Meno noticed whenever Joy was around, Sorrow kept away and dragged Fear with it, initially Doubt and Low Self esteem tried to stay with Envy and the rest but they could never speak because they were scared of Joy and his friends. They could only come back when they were gone, and then they tried using Cajole and discourage to talk to him but when that didn’t work, they sent insult and mockery. When that didn’t work, they locked him up in a room with Depression and Suicide.

He tried and tried but he was not strong enough for them, when he was about to give up, Joy, Light and Strength came to check up on him and saw him locked up. They snatched the key from Fear and opened the door, they all ran out and left him with Joy and his friends.

Meno asked if they could become part of his life and they gladly welcomed him to be part of them.

He told me this story himself. He said changing friends was the best thing he ever did, Encourage was always pushing him to step out, Joy was always there to help him stay joyful in every situation, though it took a while, Hope was always there to keep him from his former friend Giving up. Light too was always there to give him clarity.

That was the story Meno told me when he saw me walking with fear.