Marble Jar Friends

As I was doing some reading yesterday for one of my post-graduate courses, I read something that REALLY hit me. I mean, like stepping-out-into-zero-degree-weather hit me. Dr. Brene Brown, in her book Daring Greatly, shares a story about how her daughter’s teacher used to use a “marble jar” as a form of classroom management. Each time the class did something good, they received a marble. Conversely, when they did something that went against expectations they lost a marble. Dr. Brown then relates this idea to building trust in our relationships and she goes on to say this:

EARNED THE RIGHT. Let that sink in.

How many times have you told people something in confidence only to have them betray your trust, criticize your decision, or simply make you question why you even told them? Mmmhmm – been there, done that more times than I like to admit. We are human. We have all been there. It’s okay.

HOWEVER…

We need to love ourselves more and learn to put our trust in our marble friends – you know, the ones who have EARNED THE RIGHT to hear our story. These are the friends who add to our jar with their light, their love, and their trust. Now, granted…life isn’t always perfect. Mistakes are made and disagreements happen, but if someone takes away from your jar more than they put in, they aren’t your marbles.

Go find your marbles and love them hard. These are your people.