Today I'm thinking a lot about friendship. It's a tricky subject for me, I blame it on being homeschooled :), but I've always struggled with it. In the book "Walking with Purpose" by Lisa Brenninkmeyer, she dedicates several chapters on developing and cherishing friendships as a way to a balanced life. I'm blessed that I have people in my life that I can talk to and share life with, but I'm always asking myself, "What IS a friend?". I realized that friendship as an adult is different than when we were kids, which I guess is part of my problem. I want to be friends with EVERYONE and I love meeting new people. But, I still haven't mastered deciphering how I can be a good friend and how to know who's my friend and who's my acquaintance. So dear reader, tell me your how-to tips on how to spot a friend and what friendship means to you....maybe something you say can shed light on one baffling subject!
Go get them ladies!
I think you're touching on a very tough topic. I know many women feeling like you do (myself included) and it has nothing to do how we were schooled!!! I know my mom struggles with it too. I know for me I am not one for a lot of small talk. I hate talking on the phone. And when I do talk with someone I like to talk deep. I can't help myself. So... I think most people don't want that, haha. Plus, with being a mom and raising a family it is hard to maintain a friendship let alone find a BFF! I don't know. People you don't even know will surprise and rise up to help you in a time of need. Those who aren't "friends." I have also had "friends" stop talking or doing anything with me for no apparent reason. I think our stage of life has much to do with it as well. I'm not much good at the friendship stuff either. I'm curious to see if anyone else responds.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, I tried to get to bed 15 minutes earlier last night but no one sent the memo to my husband who wanted to chat my ear off. Well, it was our anniversary so I guess it was ok. ;)
Personality also plays a role here. For an introvert like me it is harder to invest time outside the four walls of my home. I do tend to keep life-long friendships, the kind that picks up where you left off even if time has elapsed. As someone who has moved around a lot it is miraculous that I have kept up friendships from my childhood. And I think that also is a stumbling block since that keeps me in a cocoon of safety which means its harder for me to meet new people. What is a true friend, well, time is a good gauge of that. Now I will be thinking of this post for a long time to come!
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