What's your point?

Have you ever talked to someone who continued to point out what was negative in their life? Nothing seemed to be going right for them and they wanted to make sure you knew every detail that created that condition. You wondered what it was that they wanted from you. Were they looking for sympathy, suggestions for change, or an opportunity to vent? Sometimes it is necessary to ask them directly for what they need. I have noticed that, for some people, their point is to share how miserable they are. These are the people that I have to limit my contact with because I feel drained after talking to them. They have become their story and have a need to justify their misery. They demonstrate no desire to turn their life around and see the positive in it. Imagine a telephone call that begins with, "Let me tell you what's going wrong in my life today." While it is true that life happens, it is important to ask yourself what point you are making when you share with others. Is it one-sided or is there a balance to what you share? What point would you make when talking to a friend today?