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| Hand in Hand photo courtesy of xedos4; freedigitalphotos.net |
I've been thinking about the importance of friendship lately. Well, I always think about it when I think about Neonatal Nurse Nancy. She's a friend like no other. After, what is it now....9 years of friendship, I cannot imagine my life without her.
She is the friend I can call at 2 in the morning, the friend who will stay up to talk, the friend who will give her honest opinion in a way that does not insult, a friend that understands how to support without judgment, a friend that is a friend whether you are turning your life upside down or staying just exactly the same.
I love her dearly and thank God for her presence in my life.
I have friends in my siblings. They are important to me even through the hills and valleys life brings to our relationships. We have history from childhood and that makes the dynamic of our friendship different...in good ways and bad. I learn and grow in my patience and understanding from these friendships regularly.
I think somewhere along the way I didn't realize we all grew up. I expect people to act as they did in childhood and it sometimes shocks me when I realize new "people" characteristics about my siblings. Kind of like when you realize your parents are people, not just parents...but I feel like it has taken me a lot of years and some deep hurt to realize that about my siblings.
I think somewhere along the way I didn't realize we all grew up. I expect people to act as they did in childhood and it sometimes shocks me when I realize new "people" characteristics about my siblings. Kind of like when you realize your parents are people, not just parents...but I feel like it has taken me a lot of years and some deep hurt to realize that about my siblings.
My darling love is a most amazing friend. He is my staunchest supporter and my biggest fan. He is that rare person who always puts others before himself. He consistently demonstrates this toward me in particular. A simple thing such as meeting his buddies for a drink after work turns into him thinking of me. He will not eat at the bar so that he can come and have dinner with me. I guess I'm selfish. If I was out with my friends and I was hungry, I'd eat without a second thought.
I realize I have a lot of things to work on to be as good a friend to those around me as they deserve. Here's what I'm working on:
- Listen actively and without distraction
- Be available even when it's inconvenient
- Reserve judgment
- Don't give advice unless asked
What are you working on?
Hand in Hand photos; xedos4; freedigitalphotos.net
6 comments:
Does that mean we aren't being good friends because we are giving advice unasked for all to see! I guess not if they go searching for it.
I have the worst habit of offering advice when not asked--it is just soooooo hard for me to hear my friends hurt or upset when they just want to vent. I think i communicate like a man--I always thought just venting without any solutions didn't make sense--so that is the hardest thing for me to do with my friends. At least it is nice to know others fight that as well.
@ Molly...no, of course not! People have a choice of whether to click or not to click. It's not the same as jumping all over what a friend "should" do during a conversation.
@Charlene, that is my worst habit too...along with correcting grammar. I made a resolution for the new year not to correct everyone's grammar; I slip sometimes, but I'm improving.
I am a big advice pusher. I know that about myself. I'm working on it. I think part of it comes from being generous...have you ever thought about that? I think that I just want everyone to know the amazing trick I used or great thing I read about; I sincerely want it to improve their life!
I have a hard time holding back too. It is my greatest difficulty. We'll keep plugging along on it.
I was going to tell you maybe you could start a blog to get all your advice out there....but that would be me giving you advice, wouldn't it?!!
XO
Chandra
Funny Chandra....
My blog I would like to start is all the crazy stuff I hear that happens in the workplace that I am constantly amazed at from an HR standpoint...
Whenever I see someone right there, their or they're incorrectly--I now think of you. But, not in a bad way--so don't feel bad!
Well, blogging about the workplace can be dangerous...but there are actually books out there about doing it safely!
I feel that I was right to choose the "grammar" resolution...particularly if I've been making such a jerk of myself that it is seared in your mind! :)
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