by Sunny Simon
When I close my eyes I can picture his adorable furry little face. One bright eye surrounded with black fur, the other bordered with fluffy white. He would stand in the upstairs loft, his small head stuck out through the railings looking down and waiting. His name was Ollie and he had the patience of Job. Daily he would wait hours for my return. When I was out of town on business, my husband would try to distract him with treats and games. Ollie stood his ground. He wanted to be the first to greet me when I walked through the door. My sweet Shih Tzu companion was the most loyal friend I ever had. Ollie offered up unconditional love in exchange for little in return.
Loyalty is a precious commodity. Isn’t loyalty what we want most from a friend? When we bare our soul to a trusted cohort we need to know our innermost thoughts will be safely locked away like the writings in our private journal. It is important to remember when you bestow the gift of loyalty to a friend you take on a noteworthy responsibility. Loyalty is sometimes tested when you become privy to a seductive secret confession. Giving your oath to uphold a confidence requires restraint. Breaking that seal of trust destroys credibility and devastates friendships.
Loyalty may be a virtue, however, when a friend or lover commits to stick by you, protect you, laugh with you and help dry your tears during a stormy period, then loyalty is a supremely precious gift. A loyalist “has your back.” This means so much more than holding a friend’s hand when she is frightened, it means supporting her as she rebuilds her confidence. We sometimes need to check in with ourselves over the loyalty issue. Are we “walking the talk” when we pledge our commitment? Do our actions prove our loyalty, or do we use empty words to give the perception of devotion?
Deepak Chopra said it best in a recent blog. The new age guru reminds us that “loyalty balances self interest. It is the willingness to look out for us and not just me.” Our actions speak volumes when we put our loyalty principals into practice.
Lastly, loyalty means being faithful. When I reflect and remember Ollie, the adorable ten pound ball of fur, I remain awestruck by his dedication. As I recall all the times he spent patiently waiting for me, I cannot think of a better role model of loyalty. Sunny Simon is the owner of Raise the Bar High Life and Career Coaching. More about Sunny at www.raisethebarhigh.com
