these are natural concerns to someone who cares for others... we care so much we dont wish to bring our friends or others down in any way... i agree with you that we need their laughter and kindness both... i spose if i think about the ideal friendships, if they can occur, one endlessly supports the other thru all things, great and small, around every curve and thru all emotions for whatever time is required... that is the definition of enduring friendship to me and the thing we all strive towards in our own ways... we'd like those ties together to be kind and warm memories, not those of despairing times when we felt we were unburdening on them.. on the converse side we hope they will not overburden us....

fr me, this is where a kind consideration occurs between friends... one will always promise undying faith to the other but may want to maintain a healthy balance for all... i spose thats where the idea of doc's and pro's came from... to relieve that wieght from the untrained and deliver it to the trained... in order to fix things...

its become huge and complicated now... friends have an emotional power advantage over the pro's but even friends have limits.... i believe a healthy mix is best i spose, but ideally, friendship support is my preference as well.. that puts the burden on me to do my stuff and lets my friends enjoy life as they desire... i think good friends always care but recognize their limits and instead of allowing a friend to drain their life, instead teach the friend ways to stand alone... self sustainment is an excellent anchor to a constructive friendship... care and share is another essential part imo... best of hopes for you on finding a workable middle ground for yourself...