The world can feel cold and lonely sometimes, especially because there is so much emphasis placed on shallow, superficial one-upmanship which is so prevalent in today’s social-media obsessed world. There is little genuine connection, it’s all about appearances: who has the most likes, followers, the ‘perfect’ pic, reel, story, etc.
However, when we open ourselves to connecting with other people in real life we have the potential for authentic warmth, compassion, understanding, and kindness of friendship.
“A friend may be waiting behind a stranger’s face.”
Maya Angelou
To be a true friend, we must speak and listen from our heart, allowing ourselves to relax and feel comfortable and safe to be ourselves and inviting others to feel comfortable with us. This requires one to be vulnerable enough to be trusting as well as trustworthy, sharing with others as well as allowing others to share with us, and caring about others, while letting others care for us. This is not always easy to do, yet it is vital to our wellbeing.
“Each friend represents a world in us, a world possibly not born until they arrive, and it is only by this meeting that a new world is born.”
Anais Nin
As we go about our day, we can offer a smile and a kind word to those we interact with. This will help us feel happier and more energized, and it will also uplift those around us. As we make it a practice to do this as often as possible, we are opening the doors to more profound relationships with others. Our cheerful outlook will influence others and our circle of friendships will expand as we take the time to get to know other people.
“One of the most beautiful qualities of true friendship is to understand and be understood.”
Lucius Annaeus Seneca
The Weekly Post 