It's with a heavy heart that I actually have to write this blog. As I was thinking about it this morning on my commute into the beautiful city of Big Shoulders, I realized that a good friendship is the base of every good relationship, either platonic or romantic. I love being a great friend to others when given the chances. It's sad that some people just don't get some of this.
How is it that there are some people that we connect with right away and then there are other people who you just want to slap when you first meet them? This one blog has the potential in itself to become a book because there can be so many facets to friendship. I am going to try my hardest to keep this as simple as possible. And to do that I am going to make a to-do list.
1) Be yourself! - If someone doesn't want to be friends with the real you, then it's not meant to be.
2) Be honest - Where you live in a cave or have traveled around the world, people want to know who the real you is. There's no need to add any fluff.
3) Be open - Do not judge people. We have all made mistakes and those mistakes are in the past. We cannot change the past, we can only learn from them.
4) Ask - Ask questions about that person. Each person is a world in itself. If you don't ask how will you know. And if you don't ask it's going to come off that you only care about yourself.
5) Listen - After said questions, take a real interest in what that person has to say, and just listen. Don't think about what you want to say next, you might miss something.
6) Prepare - before bestowing "your opinion" on your friend, ask them if they would like to know first. Some people don't want to hear other people's opinions.
7) Be available - we all live busy lives, but we make time for those we care about. Anyone one of my friends know that if they need me, whether it's to bail out of jail or just listen to them vent for a few minutes, I will find the time to do so.
8) Be fair - there are times where we all get out of line. We get emotional, irrational and tend to forget those around us. If you call out a friend or they call you out at this situation, they are telling you because they care. Listen to them, work it out.
9) Apologize - we all make mistakes. There is always be miscommunication. Feelings will get hurt. Acknowledge those feelings and apologize, it will make your friendship stronger.
10) Meet them half way -if they go to your house, then go to there's. If they call you, you call them. Both parties should putting an effort towards each other. Having a one sided friendship is not a relationship at all, it's called stalking.
11) Share - everything. Share your pain and let them love on you. Share your successes and let them rejoice with you. Let them make you cookies and give them a hat that you love. It's those little thoughts and actions that make a bond stronger. Show people your battle scars because you never know when someone is in the same battle and they need to know they can get through it.
12) Laugh - laugh together. Laugh at yourself. Let the laughter pour out of you. It is the little observations in life that make us all relate to one another and it's showing us that we are paying attention to the lives around us.
13) Except change - The only constant in this world is change. We are constantly learning about ourselves in this ever changing world. You're not the same person you were a year ago, not of us are. It's exciting to have the chance to keep learning about the world and those is in.
14) Be responsible - whether it's with people's feelings, clothing, pet or money. Take care of your responsibilities. If you borrow money pay it back as soon as possible, even if it's only a little bit at a time, it shows you value your relationship more than the money you borrow. If you borrow a shirt, make sure it stays as nice as you got it. If you damage that shirt, replace it with the same. Do not use something you can not replace in time. Even though it's just stuff, it's the thought behind taking care of their stuff that shows them you care for them.
15) Shine!!!! Be an awesome you! When you let yourself shine you give others around the opportunity to shine as bright. Embrace the differences, love the quirks, fill those around you with a life they might be starving for.
Your friends turn to you to love and uplift them, keep the grounded and hold you accountable to yourself. At least that's what I want from my friends and I hope I can be that for them.
Loving you! Merry Ms Berry
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