In anime, many complex tasks or problems are often solved by the “Power of Friendship.” The “Power of Friendship” trope is a familiar and usually beloved narrative device in anime and manga. This trope emphasizes the strength, resilience, and sometimes even the supernatural power characters derive from their bonds with friends.
And that is precisely what I just read in “Safe People.” You need ‘safe people’ to help ground you, so much so that these friendships will help you overcome any challenge. Of course, this sort of grounding is what Jesus, “the ultimate safe person,” prayed for in the Bible because this book can’t go one page without a quote from the Bible. While I see some similarities to the anime trope, I don’t fully subscribe to the extent the book presents. It’s interesting to find connections between anime and this book.
Currently, I’m delving into where to find safe individuals. According to the book, potential sources of safe people include church, support groups, and therapy. They don’t mention anywhere else. Although it’s important to remember that a therapist is not meant to fulfill the role of a friend, I see the value in gaining insight into myself and learning how to establish a sense of safety. The book also acknowledges that the church may not always be a reliable source of safe people. I believe fostering environments that naturally facilitate meaningful connections is essential in finding safe people. Still, I recognize that this is a challenging feat.
I’m just about to finish the last chapter of this book and I’ll pick it up again later. It’s satisfying to finally reach the end, especially with the chapter titled “How to be safe.” It’s taken the whole book to get to this point. I’ll continue reading tomorrow.
Today’s coding went well, although I did need to consult Google for a bit of assistance. Sometimes I struggle with understanding the problems and need to carefully decipher what is being asked of us. Comprehension and word problems have always been a challenge for me.
The weather was beautiful today, but it looks like rain is on the way for tomorrow. I don’t mind the rain, but I think I’ll stay indoors, work on some coding, and enjoy a hot cup of tea.
