Oak Tree vs. Ivy Vines

I really do not want this blog to be my gibberish, it's intended to display my inspirations and creative writing skills. There will occasionally be, however, discussions that inspire my outlook and I'll gladly post them. M.A.N. is a person that is always eager to show me myself (good, bad and ugly) any time I ask or even when I don't want to hear it; "mirror" is what we fondly call one another. I had a discussion with M.A.N. yesterday about growth and evolution spawned from a relationship with someone and it really made me think some things over about myself.

M.A.N.: So why do you think you liked that person so much?
Me: Because I thought he could help me grow.
M.A.N.: Why do you always want someone to help you grow and are not willing to help someone else grow?
Me: I think I help people grow! So in the two years you've known me I haven't helped you grow?
M.A.N.: You have helped me point out the flaws in my design through watching you and interacting with each other but learning something new, no.
Me: *shrug* Sorry (This is me being mad. Yes, at 26 I throw tantrums.)
Me: Well I think that's still a form of growth! Just because I didn't help you learn something new does not mean you did not grow. Just a different form of growth.
M.A.N.: I can agree with that.

Now, M.A.N. saying he agrees is probably more him not wanting to be bothered with arguing me up and down. lol I say Ivy Vines can be just as powerful as an Oak Tree in some regards. Today M.A.N. is trying to tell me that helping others become an Oak Tree "involves [me] putting [myself] second at times...and it seems to only work on [my] time without concern for what others have going on..." As intuitive as I am, I enjoy helping people tap into the energy they already have; what has yet to be discovered. There's beauty in that, beauty in recognizing the inner wealth and potential someone already has and lifting it out of them. This is probably a more humble assistance in growth, the growth that generally goes unnoticed. I'm sincerely OK with that, but maybe I need to learn a new way to pursue growth in any relationship to help people become an Oak Tree?

One of my favorite quotes is by Youssou N'dour "People need to see that, far from being an obstacle, the world's diversity of languages and religions and traditions is a great treasure, affording us precious opportunities to recognize ourselves in others." I think helping others reach a new level internally somehow helps me do the same. Maybe I should try a less selfish approach? And here I thought I was being helpful! Aw phooey!