Monday, November 5, 2012
Be Thankful for your Friends
When you hear the words “my friend,” doesn’t a warm
feeling wash over you? Whose face pops up in your mind? Is it someone that
you’ve had as a lifelong friend since school days? No doubt it’s someone who
truly gets who you are.
Albert Schweitzer said it so well, “In
everyone’s life, at some time, our inner fire goes out. It is then burst into
flame by an encounter with another human being.
We should all be thankful for those people who rekindle the inner
spirit.”
So much has been said about friendship
because it is such an important part of being alive and happy. We need people
we can openly communicate with without fear of being rejected. We need someone
who will be there with a sympathetic hand when we’re under stress. We need
someone who points us in a better direction when we have a bad idea.
“A friend is a gift you give yourself.”
That’s a truism you’ll see on cards and plaques in many gift shops. The values
we hold dear are embodied in our closest friends. We admire our friends and
even want to become like them in some ways.
How can we show our friends
that we appreciate them?
Keep in close contact.
It doesn’t take a lot. A simple phone call, text message or even a handwritten
letter tells your friend that he or she is important to you.
Be a good listener.
Have you fallen into the habit of always talking about your life? A true friend
shows interest in others. Ask questions and really listen to what is said.
Be open. That
doesn’t mean telling your friend every little detail. Counselor and author of “The Friendship
Factor,” Dr. Alan Loy McGinnis observed, “People with deep and lasting
friendships may be introverts, extroverts, young, old, dull, intelligent,
homely, good-looking; but the one characteristic they always have in common is
openness. They have a certain transparency, allowing people to see what is in
their hearts.”
Be willing to spend undistracted time.
Friendship shouldn’t be sacrificed for less fulfilling pursuits.
Maintain mutual respect.
Everyone needs to be shown consideration, especially when opinions differ.
Being overly possessive can smother a friendship; everyone needs his or her
space.
Have you ever thought about gifting a home concierge
service to your friend? Is there something that needs to be done around the
house that your friend can’t do? Or maybe you want to give your friend a night
off while one of the professionals at Simplify comes in and
cooks a tasty meal? If your friend lives in the Silicon Valley, contact us and
let’s work something out.
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