TWO MEN were traveling together, when a Bear suddenly met them on their path.

 One of them
climbed up quickly into a tree and concealed himself in the branches.  The other, seeing that he
must be attacked, fell flat on the ground, and when the Bear came up and felt him with his snout,
and smelt him all over, he held his breath, and feigned the appearance of death as much as he
could.  The Bear soon left him, for it is said he will not touch a dead body.  
When he was quite gone, the other Traveler descended from the tree, and teasingly inquired of
his friend what it was the Bear had whispered in his ear.  "He gave me this advice," his
companion replied.  "Never travel with a friend who deserts you at the approach of danger." 
Reflection:
Life is better when shared and surrounded by the people who love, respect, understand, and treat
you the same as how you make them feel. In a perfect world this can be attainable everywhere you go and
whoever people you meet, but sad to say that this kind of world does not exist. In fact, living in this world
demands greater of everything, greater patience, love, understanding, strength, will, effort, acceptance,
and maturity to be able to savor and survive. Actually, I have personally experienced being hurt and left
by some of my friends whom I thought would endure with me whatever it takes. There, I have realized
that while we spend our time doing things and making things easy for our loved ones so that they may
have life in full, some are not willing to do the same for us. Furthermore, I have heard many say that
those who you love the most devastate you the greatest and I am one of those who have witnessed that.
Truly, those people who are dear to me affect me in the most unexplainable way and situation. My
relationship with my family best describes that. Although, I have been broken by them at some point in
my life I still cling unto them, I still long for their presence in my life. As I write this reflection, I got to
ask myself how is it possible for me to forgive and forget regardless of what I have experienced. Then,
reasons like my love for them, their part in my life, the joy and excitement I feel whenever I am with
them, and the fact that I cannot go this far without them struck me. Hence, realizations like what if I also
make them feel invalidated, unloved, and sad some time in their lives, yet they chose to let their love for
me eat all of those emotions, popped in my mind and that maybe these are the very reasons why some
people back then have left me. As I finish writing this reflection, I was able to comprehend that to love
means to bear all the things that may arise while having that decision.
Lastly, love, understand and embrace other people not based on how you want them to treat you. Instead,
love, understand, and embrace people based on how you want them to feel. In one way or another you
will be hurt, you will be made sad and miserable. But, remember that all of those will be worth it. Life
and companionship are not a requirement that is accompanied by a rubric that encompasses some dos and
don’ts. Love and companionship are free will, so love and be with those people who you want to be with.