FRIENDS: FOUR THINGS TO DO
July is the Love of Friendship month, the time to make friends, and stay acquainted with old ones, to rekindle lost friendships and turn adversaries into allies. Throughout July, I try to really work on those four projects.
1. Making Friends
Expanding your social circle by getting out to more gatherings is a great way to contact more people. Accept those invitations! Go along for the ride! Be seen! There is never any guarantee a social circle will develop friendships, but it certainly is very difficult to make new friends of any type otherwise. It starts with being in circulation. I tend to go to more parties and more outings in July!
2. Staying In Touch
It is on everyone's shoulder, that perpetual nag to stay connected with friends when time is slipping by. As life becomes busier each and every second, the moments seem elusive where reaching out to a friend feels more of a luxury. It is human nature to feel that pressure, and because everyone has the same problem, everyone understands. That is why, making the time, making those moments, counts for so much. There is never enough time; we know that. We can slow down and breathe and make the time, however, and create our own space of luxury, where contacting a friend simply to stay up-to-date, makes both of us feel wonderful. I try to reach out to everyone on my 'Friends List' in July.
3. Rekindle Lost Friendships
Perhaps too much time has gone by, or incidents in the past have caused a drifting away. There are countless reasons why a friend from your past has slipped from you. Reach out; make the effort. Will it truly be rekindled, same as before? Not necessarily. Is it a good thing to do anyway? There is only one way to find out! Take the chance and reach out. I do my best to make that effort in July. Even if nothing much comes of it aside from a single 'catching up' conversation, the chance is taken and that can mean everything
4. Turn Adversaries into Allies
Maybe some old friends have become enemies, and there are those you know, who started out as enemies from day one. In any case, who needs that energy in their life? It may not be possible to make friends with enemies, but at least you can reach an understanding, perhaps even cooperation. A tiny pinch of friendship, perhaps, added to the recipe. A small dose of warmth to help reduce the cold. Can it be done? I like to think small steps in the right direction are huge leaps. In July, I try to ease the tension and soften the anxiety with adversaries. Any improvement is worth it.
Those are my four Friendship projects for July. I hope you find some benefit in them.
