How to Be a Friend and Make a Friend.

Having a special friend is one of life's greatest pleasures. We all need a special friend or two to share day-in and day-out activities, challenges and successes. The following steps will assist the individual to help make a friend. Take all needed precautions as you proceed through your friendships. As always, my prayer for you and your loved ones is to remain healthy and safe, become wealthy, and grow wiser.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• A person with whom to bond
• A sincere spirit
• Truthfulness
• A place to keep secrets
• Devotion
• A listening ear

1. "I'm trying to let all this sink in. Are you?" 1.To begin on this long journey you must have time to spend with this person.
   2.Do something that this person wants to do.
   3.Be open and listen to what this person has to say.
   4.Share your own thoughts about yourself and how 'whatever' is affecting you, but don't give the other person any advice; just listen.
2. "So that's where I went wrong." 1.Make contact with this person periodically, but not regularly.
   2.Allow the person the opportunity to contact you.
   3.Don't be too pushy with the relationship. This will run the other person away.
3. "What if I wink at 'em, Maw. Will that help?" 1.Send the regular birthday cards and holiday greeting cards.
   2.Offer to buy the person's meal on occasion, but not regularly.
   3.Offer sincere positive comments about 'whatever,' but don't over do. These comments must be genuine and meaningful.
4. "Maw says I can't stick out my tongue anymore." 1.Treat the other person the way you would want to be treated.
   2. Give more than you take in the beginning. After a while, only give your 50%. If you give more, the relationship will become false for you and for them.
   3.Be honest and up front. But don't tell all your secrets. A person doesn't have to know about all your flaws. Only you do. Always present yourself as a 'shiny new penny.' If you want someone to totally confide in, try God. He is the only one who won't use it against you. Humans, by their very nature, will not understand you as you want to be understood. Don't dump everything into this person's face. He or she will run.
   4. No one is going to love you for all that you are. We have to keep our darkest secrets to ourselves and make sincere efforts to clean up these messy areas. Too often a potential good friend is run off by divulging too much. I think this is called, this day and time: TMI.
5. "Are you getting this? Maw knows what she is talking about." 1. If you see something in this person that is going to work for you, don't become scared when he or she dumps too much in your lap. Be patient and wait it out, for remember, we all have dark areas that should remain as such. But this person may not know the rules of 'Making a Friend,'as you do.
   2. Nurture your friendship as you would a potted plant. You don't water the plant when only you want a drink; you water the plant regularly, and when it needs watering. That doesn't mean for you to contact the friend all the time, but do be there when the friend contacts you, if only to say, "Well, I'm busy today, but we can talk a little, and meet tomorrow." This relationship will need just that; relations, from both parties, if it is going to be long lasting.

Tips & Warnings

• REMEMBER! REMEMBER! REMEMBER! DON'T TELL THIS PERSON EVERYTHING ABOUT YOU. KEEP YOUR DEEPEST, DARKEST SECRETS FOR YOUR SELF AND GOD ALONE.
• BE accepting TO THIS PERSON WHEN HE OR SHE STARTS SHARING ALL. HE OR SHE MAY NOT KNOW THE CAUTIONS ABOUT SHARING ALL AND FOR MAKING AND KEEPING FRIENDS AS YOU DO.
• If you are a parent, remember that your child also needs a close friend. Encourage close relationships with your child's playmates. Your child needs close friends to be emotionally and socially healthy. Also, try to stay put, in one place in the same neighbor, while your children are going up. Moving about from place to place is very difficult on children. Other children at school can be very cruel to children if the specific child 'does not belong.' To prevent this from happening to your child, stay put, and invite classmates over regularly.
• Your first attempt may not work for you. You may need practice. Plus friendships take two willing partners. The other person may not have been ready and willing.
• A good friendship is worth the time and effort. Friendships can be more meaningful than family. Invest in the relationship as such.