Best Friends Can Stay Connected On Facebook

The first thing in the morning, my best friend is on my mind and as the day goes on her smile is present. I hear her laughter even as though there are no mile between us. And when the day is over I reflect with loving thoughts of her. I especially remember the times we spent talking and laughing while walking along the sea-shore  while freely sharing what was on our minds. Back then it was about our children, husbands, jobs,  and everything from what to cook for dinner to world news. Hows Big Dog doing? or What should I wear to Jennifer’s wedding? 

I think about all the birthdays, Christmas‘s and vacations that our families spent together? Even though we are miles apart when I look at the photos of us together it seems like there are no miles between us and we still have all the time in the world to talk about our future’s, dreams, hopes, and plans. When I go to the movies I find my self wanting to share my pop corn and talk about this past weeks events with her then I remember you are miles away. Now days we are using our senior discounts and sharing the latest accomplishments of our grandchildren.  

 I went  shopping the other day I wanted to ask her opinion about a new set of dishes that I wanted to buy because they reminded me of a crisp  autumn day in Main. I posted a picture of the dishes on face book and she gave me the thumbs up. But it wasn’t the same as when we are face to face. I was thinking that she might forget how much I about her. I don’t want that to happen, so I decided to send her this little reminder on Facebook  . . . I love just being in the same room as you. I enjoy hearing her voice and the sound of  her laughter.

Your happiness means a lot to me, and I am always hoping that  love, kindness, health, and joy will come your way. Nothing can ever change the way I feel about you. Not time or distance, not anything you do or don’t do. Not anything I hear or see. So if you are ever lonely keep this on your Facebook wall and don’t delete it. Read it again and again, and know there’s someone who always cares about you.

Friendship Is Beautiful

Do you think that your best friend is beautiful inside and out? Have you told her lately?  Maybe she’s not  beautiful by the worlds standards but by the standards of what really makes her a beautiful friend to you. Take a few minutes and tell her.  Here are a few reasons that makes our friends beautiful to us.  It is because every time you talk to her she has a smile on her face and never a scowling look.

Is it because she is sensitive to your needs and treats you with kindness? Is it because she is proud of your accomplishments and accepting of your faults? Is it because she allows you to be yourself and in her eyes you are beautiful?  Is it because she has seen you when your hair is a mess and you haven’t put on any makeup yet and she still tells you how beautiful you are? Is it because she always reminds you that perfection is overrated?

Have you ever thought about what this world would be like If everyone in this world were perfect?  We would all be exactly the same! That wouldn’t be any fun would it? Do you know that it is the very things that makes you different, that makes you beautiful and her too? Does she remind  you that you are unique in your appearance, in your wisdom, and in your emotions and so is she. These are the things that set you apart, make you irreplaceable. Maybe today you can write five things you like about her and yourself.

Maybe you can start a gratitude journal. telling her how much you appreciate her friendship. Does she remind you that you’re authentic when your body and mind are at ease and that you are beautiful, when you are completely yourself? Do you tell her she is too? On the days that you lose yourself in what the world expects of you does she  reminds you not to conform to what you “should be.” Then do you remember to create your own box and step outside it as you wish. Does she remind you to dance to your own tune?

Some days when  you may feel like shouting from the rooftops, “World, here I am!  Does she remind you that your voice is powerful, significant , and beautiful?  Do you tell her that her’s is too!  Do you know that you deserve to be heard.? You have learned from her to avoid magazines that tell you how you should be and to speak the words that are in your heart and stand up for what you believe in? She reminds you to speak up and be present and to make contributions to what you believe in.

Some days are harder than others and on those rainy days she reminds you to appreciate the sunshine.  Your best friend has helped you to grow stronger,  wiser and when you are feeling ugly her words of encouragement make you feel a bit more beautiful.

Don’t forget to honor your beautiful friends and let them know that your world is a more beautiful place because they are in it. Sometimes your beautiful friend can be your grandmother, mother, step mother, aunt, sister, sister-in-law, niece, a neighbor, co-worker, a childhood friend, teacher, or a mentor. What ever their title is don’t take them for granted and let them know that they are beautiful and so is their friendship.

Fortify Your Life With Friendships

Wise is the person who fortifies their life with friendships. Here’s part of the secret to changing anything in life, be it life, friendships, relationships, concepts, life principles, or work. It all begins with ME, myself, and I! The following was inscribed on the tomb of an Anglican bishop (A.D, 100) among the crypts of Westminster Abbey in London.

When I was young and free and my imagination had no limits, I dreamed of changing the world. As I grew older and wiser, I discovered the world would not change, so I shortened my sights somewhat and decided to change only my country. But it, too, seemed immovable.

As I grew into my twilight years, in one last desperate attempt, I settled for changing only my family, those closest to me, but alas, they would have none of it. And now as I lie on my deathbed, I suddenly realized: If I had only changed myself first, then by example I would have changed my family. From their inspiration and encouragement , I would have been able to better my country and, who knows, I may have changed the world. (Anonymous)  

 You can make more friends in two months by becoming interested in other people than you can in two years by trying to get people interested in you. Dale Carnegie

Mum’s The Word

Mum’s the word if a friend shares something confidential, don’t disclose her secret. No matter how juicy it is! Sometimes in the face of a friends deep pain, there e are no answers that will suffice. Holding a hand, hugging a shoulder, or shedding tears together may be better options. We all want to be better friends. And yet, sometimes the thing we want most of all is someone who can be a good friend to us. 

When we are hurting or struggling, there are certain friends we can count on as sources of great comfort. I’m talking about the friends who have seen you at your worst and at your best. The ones you can tell them anything( and just about have) with full confidence that even the most sordid confession will not cause them to waver in their love for you. They are  also the kind of friends that fall into the category of sincerely being none judgmental and none critical of your shortcomings. They are an example of a safe and loving friend you don’t want to confide in a friend who makes you feel worse after talking to them.

As a general rule, they don’t usually offer pat answers or microwave solutions. Instead, they encourage you, hold you accountable, give you passionate advice that you occasionally follow, and laugh and cry with you. Now you must understand that friends like this are hard to find. And yet it’s worth the effort to cultivate friendships like these. When the name of the game is pain, sometimes we just need someone to talk to. Yet how do you choose that person?

If you don’t have a history with friends you know you can trust, how do you decide with whom you can open up too? How can you be fairly confident that your friend to whom you are baring your very soul will not recoil in horror,  blush with embarrassment,  shake a shamming finger, or give dangerous advice in answers to you dilemma? If you have a friend who has never lets you past her façade of perfection, you might want to think twice before blurting out your deepest and darkest secrets over a cup of coffee at Starbucks.

If a friend is uncomfortable with her own imperfections and struggles, she probably won’t have a clue how to respond appropriately to yours. However is you have a friend who is mutually vulnerable, transparent ,uses good judgement and keeps your secrets to herself then you have a safe place to share your burdens. They are the kind of friend who goes through heartaches and joys, downfalls and triumphs , victories and failures, they’re always there to cheer to you on and cheer you up. You are so blessed to call them friend.

What Does It Mean To Have A Best Friend?

What does it mean to have a best friend? What is really the meaning and purpose of a true friend? Let me share this short story with you and let’s see if we can answer those questions. Dave and Tom had been friends for twenty years. They had reached the prime of their lives. Both were married, had children, owned their own businesses and life had been go to them. For over twenty years hardly a week went by without the two of them,  then their families getting together. Tom had told many people just how blessed he was to have a friend like Dave. He truly loved Tom. Why? Because Tom was the most selfless person he had ever met. He had seen Tom’s selfless lifestyle in action for the last twenty years.

Then one day tragedy struck Tom’s life. His father died in his sleep, totally unexpectedly. Within an hour of his father’s death Tom called Dave, and asked if he would come over. Dave said, ‘I’m on my way.” Tom was on the front lawn of his parent’s house continuing to greet people as they came to comfort the family. All things considered  Tom seemed to be doing very well. He had barely shed a tear. 

Suddenly, he noticed Dave’s SUV driving up and Tom’s eyes began to tear, his heart began to pound. As Dave walked toward the house Tom left the crowd and started to walk toward him. When Tom reached Dave he was sobbing uncontrollable. They embraced and Dave said words of comfort to him. The people in the yard stood in silence as they witnessed what true friendship was all about. One being there for the other.

Wouldn’t you agree with me that they are blessed to have each other.? How many of us can say we have a best friend like this? Unfortunately, not very many. In the hustle and bustle of today’s life we seem to have every little time for friends and relationships. Loyalty is not a priority, but it should be. Slow down, reach out, and start a friendship. Maybe you’ll meet your own Dave or Tom. A quote from John Heywood ” A friend is never known until a man has a need.”

Friends Make Life Much Sweeter

A good friend makes life so much sweeter and brighter during the sunny and rainy days of our lives. When you’re together it doesn’t matter if the skies pour or the winds howl or all of your plans go awry. They have the rare ability to transform disaster into an adventure.

Their friendship gives you courage to be what you want to be. A good friend like them is as rare as seeing a triple rainbow and as precious as rubies and emeralds by the tons, that cannot be measured. They will even say the right thing when you fall off your diet and into a hot fudge sundae. “Whipped cream doesn’t have any carbohydrates.”

They don’t mind your wrinkles much; because they came courtesy of the many years the two of you spent laughing together and they think you are pretty cool even when you are acting like the biggest nerd on earth. They are really the cool ones because they have the hear to spare your feelings.

Knowing they are always behind you is often your best reason for moving forward. Their friendship is the super-strength glue; The two of you have an impenetrable bond and are sticking together for life! Their friendship isn’t a gift you hold in your hands but a blessing you carry in your heart.

Life Is So Much Better With Great Friends

Great friends are hard to find and harder to hang on to, and hardest still to let go of. That’s why you should always remember to hold on to our great friends for dear life and tell them how much you treasure them.

A Great friend is a special kind of friend who knows exactly when to be honest with you and when it’s best to wait because after all they have mastered the art of timing that’s one of the qualities that make them so special. Then there are those well-meaning friends who tell you what we want to hear but a great friend tells you what we need to hear.

A Great friend is someone who is honest enough to warn you when you are about to make a big mistake and kind enough not to tease you when you make it anyway. They will helps you to see your most embarrassing moments as material for a comedy routine instead of being dramatizing incidents that make you feel like you need years of self-reflection. Great friends have a way of  understanding you when you have a problem and you don’t want a solution, advice, or even sympathy . . . you just need someone to listen. Great friends master the art of listening.

A Great friend will gently and tactfully suggest that you look at something another way when all of your plans go awry they have a rare ability to transform a disaster into an adventure. Their friendship gives you the courage to be what you want to be. True friends are as rare as triple rainbows and as precious as rubies and emeralds by the ton. They are a treasure that cannot be measured .

A Great Friend will guide you through your darkest days and longest nights counting the reasons you appreciate them is like counting leaves on a tree . . . you will lose your place long before you finish. Without them your life would be half empty, with them you feel happy, whole, and complete.

A Great Friend can be your Mother, Grandmother, Auntie, Sister, Brother, Spouse, Old Friend, New Friend, Teacher, Neighbor, A Childhood Friend, A Mentor, and so on  . . . but the one thing that remains true is that your prized possession in all the world is nothing that can be held or shown  . . . it is the friendship that over the years the two of you have nurtured and grown.  

~Miss Carol Jo ~

Generosity Is The Icing On The Cake Of Friendship

Any way you slice it, generosity is the icing on the cake of friendship and the generosity of friendship is always a thoughtful gift of friendship that enriches the giver as well as the recipient. The Renaissance philosopher Erasmus wrote, ” He does himself good who does good to his friend.”

A generous Friend reminds us to laugh when we begin to take ourselves too seriously and to slow down when we are rushing from thought to thought. They will help us to regain our perspective, your wisdom, and your peace.

When our day seems cloudy a good friend will keep us mindful that when the sky is cloudy, the sun will come out in all its shiny glory. Just like we will. A good friend will remind us that gloom and sadness is always followed by glorious possibilities. Each morning we should with gladness in our hearts stop and give thanks for our good friends who let us laugh, smile, cry and celebrate with them.

Here are three quotes about friendship.

A woman isn’t poor if she can still laugh at herself. ~ Anonymous~

The best way to cheer yourself up it to cheer up somebody else. ~ Mark Twain~

Laughter dulls the sharpest pain and flattens out the greatest stress. To share it is to give a gift of health. ~Barbara Johnson~

A Good Friend Will . . .

A good friend enjoys being a source of encouragement to their friends and family and they try to measure out their words carefully. They are very aware that words can uplift their friends or discourage them.

A good friend will speak wisely, not impulsively and use words of kindness and praise, not words of anger or derision. A good friend  remembers that they have the power to heal others or injure them with words.

A good friend will lift you up, their wisdom will start to bring healing and comfort in your time of need. They will remind you to keep striving toward your dreams and goals. A good friend will always enrich your life and freely give to you their valuable friendship.

Remember anyway you slice it, laughing at yourself and with a good friend is the icing on the cake of friendship.

~Miss Carol Jo~

The Power Of Friendship

Think . . . pause . . . then speak, it is a  wise friend who can communicate in this way. But all to often, in the rush to have ourselves heard, we speak first and think later . . . with unfortunate results.

If we seek to be as source of encouragement to friends and family, then we must measure our words carefully. Words are important: they can hurt or heal. Words can uplift us or discourage us, and reckless words, spoken in haste can be hard for us to erase but through Christ we can forgive and forget.

Today, speak with an encouraging word in your heart to all who cross your path. Measure your words carefully. Speak wisely, not impulsively. Use words of kindness and praise, not words of anger or derision. Remember that you have the power to heal others or to injure them, to life others up or to hold them back. When you lift them up, your wisdom will bring healing and comfort to a world that needs both.

Be the kind of friend who wants the best for your friends. Be the kind of friend who hopes that life is being good to them and that they will cope well with every challenge and reach their goals they want to reach. If they are feeling alienated from the world, and they are questioning if there’s another person who cares about what’s going on in their life be the kind of friend who tells them just how much God loves them and how much you care about them.

If they need a friend with whom they can share their hopes, dreams, and disappointments be that kind of friend. If they need someone to talk to, share their worries with, to pray for them to have perfect health, prosperity, and peace and happiness be that kind of friend. Be the kind of friend who points out their good qualities when they need lifting up. Be the kind of friend who would be there for them no matter what and who would go with them whatever the distance is they have to go.

We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to his purpose. Roman 8:28

~ By Carol East~

Laughter is the oil in the engine of friendship

Arnold Glasow observed, “A loyal friend laughs at your jokes when they’re not so good and sympathizes with your problems when they’re not so bad.” Herein , we consider the joys of a good laugh and the blessings of a good friend with whom we share it.

When the day is cloudy, keep me mindful that above the clouds, the sun still shines. And let me laugh with friends. And, each morning, when I open my eyes to a world of glorious possibilities, let me give thanks for the gift of life and friendship. Then, let me rise up and make the most of that gift. Let me strive toward a worthy purpose, and let me celebrate each day with a song, and a smile, and a prayer . . . and, let me laugh with old and new friends. 

All Purpose Advice

Don’t bypass the potential for meaningful friendships just because of differences. Explore them, Embrace them. Love them. ~ Luci Swindoll

It is wise to pour the oil of refined politeness on the mechanism of friendship ~ Colette

If two friends ask you to judge a dispute, don’t accept, because you will lose a friend; however, if two strangers come with the same request, accept, because you will gain one friend. ~ Saint  Augustine

Friends are those rare people who ask how we are and then wait to hear the answer. ~ Ed Cunningham

Happiness is not perfect until it is shared. ~ Jane Porter

Enduring friendships are also intended to cause rejoicing and celebration is the last thing on our minds. Sometimes, we fall prey to worry, frustrations, anxiety, or sheer exhaustion . . . and our hearts become heavy. What’s needed is plenty of rest, a large dose of perspective, a heaping helping of faith, and the encouraging words of a trusted friend . . . but not necessarily in that order.