I recently read something a friend posted. It said that everyone isn’t your friend. Just because they hang around or say they have your back, doesn’t mean it’s so. People pretend well. So know your inner circle.

I don’t know if she was having a bad day or making a statement. It is something many of us deal with in our lives and if you’re a sensitive person, it bothers you more. If you’re someone that can let it roll off your back, I envy you.

When I started teaching my mom bought me a mug to have in my classroom. It had a picture of cartoon turkeys with the saying, Don’t let the turkeys get you down. I had to smile every time I looked at it. I tried to use that as my motto ever since.

We start off life thinking everyone’s our friend and as the years go on, we learn differently. People will disappoint. Some will turn their backs. Someone you thought was a friend didn’t consider you one. Those are called life lessons. And maybe that’s what helps me write.

My personal experiences find their way into my stories. Characters take on traits of people I’ve known—good and bad. Disappointment and betrayals make  great story lines.

There’s also the other side of the coin. Your inner circle. It can be large or small. It doesn’t matter. When things get you down, you know you can rely on them. They become the characters in the story who are your heroes or the ones that give great advice.

Life’s a journey, a bumpy one at that. When you come to a major pothole it might be time to get out that coffee cup. Fill it with your favorite beverage, lean back and take a good look at those turkeys. Take a sip and a deep breath. Then take another look. Sometimes you need to just let it go. There’s no way to fix it. It may take a short time…or maybe quite a while. Whatever it is the turkeys did….don’t let them get you down.