Say what?

Tonight I had an opportunity that in other circumstances I probably would not look upon quite this way. My friend whose husband I wrote about a few weeks ago, called me. I was working on something at the time, but I told her that I could multi-task. She got right into a number of subjects and then asked me about my project. Before I could really round out what it was all about, she drew a bunch of conclusions about it, me and the process...despite having no background in any of it. I found this quite amazing. But that was not the opportunity. I look at myelf as someone who loves to solve problems. This means that I also have a habit of listening to my friends and even aquaintances and offering my advice...unsolicited or not. I have been more and more aware that I do this and have done whatever I can to give advise only when asked or to offer only with a caveat. So listening to her tell me what I think, who I am and what I am about AGAIN, I saw why we connect. Seeing another 'problem solver' in action is astonishing to watch. If I come across that way, woebetides anyone who wants comfort.I clearly leave a bitter taste if my approach is anything like that. This 'opportunity' to see a character trait in someone else leaves me with so much to learn. My friend is by no means a bad person to know. The trait of not listening and problem solving every issue is simply a way that she controls her universe. We have been placed together for years with me wondering why I have always felt that I have to over compensate to talk with her. Also wondering why we have ended up being friendly at all? Coming across that way, I view it for myself as part of my empathetic nature. Hers comes across as bossy and self opinionated. Lol. It may all be the same in the wash. I now see it as a cautionary tale for me. I see the chance to temper my self discovery further and to use mindfulness when I speak. So I am very appreciative of what happened.