Dee: The Friend Who Has It All

We all have that one friend or person we know who always seems to be happier, more successful, and more fulfilled than us, no matter what their circumstances in life are. What secret do these people possess that the rest of us are missing? How can they maintain a positive attitude, even in dark and trying times? What drives them to keep going when the rest of us would quit?

We all have that one friend, and I’m no exception. This column is dedicated to my dear friend, to whom I will call Dee. Although I can never repay Dee for all his help, positive energy, and influence on my life, I hope that by talking about him here I will in turn help those who read this column learn to be more successful themselves.

Interesting fact: Dee is the most unselfish, most helpful person I know.
It’d delight him to know that he was helping even more people indirectly through this column!

I have to admit that although I like helping people from time to time, when compared next to Dee it’s like I’m Judas being compared to The Good Samaritan. He simply loves helping people, for the sake of helping them. He even helps people move, for heaven’s sake! Who likes helping people move? Dee does, that’s who. And that’s just one of the special things about him.

Although Dee and I are close friends, we couldn’t possibly be more different. Although I’m passionate about self-improvement and success, I can actually be very negative at times. Perhaps this is what makes me an interesting writer. In any case, Dee doesn’t actually need to read self-improvement articles because he actually lives practically every principle that I write about. It comes so naturally to him that to Dee there simply is no other way to live! Through a magic combination of his upbringing and natural personality, Dee epitomizes the numerous principles of success.

So what is Dee like? He’s friendly and helpful. He’s well-liked and popular, but modest and humble. He’s talented and successful in his career, and hardworking. He’s open-minded about trying new things. He’s not afraid to dance and make a fool of himself. His first inclination is to listen, not lecture. He doesn’t mind too much what others think of him. He doesn’t get in other people’s business, but he’s the first one there (and last one standing) if you need help. He makes your life better in so many ways, and doesn’t expect anything in return. Most importantly of all, he understands the concept of balance: between work and play, seriousness and lightheartedness, family life and professional success. He is confident and OK with who he is, but at the same time is always trying to improve or learn something new.

I don’t know what drove me to write about Dee. I think I just see something special in him, an almost indescribable quality. It’s not quite his charisma that makes him so likeable - he doesn’t tell the best jokes or the best stories. Rather, its his quiet confidence and comfort with who he is. Because he feels so at ease with himself, he makes you feel comfortable with who you are when you’re around him.

While I can never be Dee, I’ve learned to value his emotional strength and mindset, which in most situations embodies the Winner’s Mindset that I’ve written about. I don’t know if there is any insight in this article beyond the idea of learning from successful people. Perhaps I’m writing this as my way of honoring him for all he’s done for me. Or maybe, just maybe, he has taught me what it really means to help somebody, and sharing my stories with you is the best way I know how.