February Part 2

So years ago I wrote about making new friends...okay, it was only 3 weeks ago, but it feels like longer. How have you been doing at making new friends? In my own experience, I am doing pretty well. I have been talking to people I normally wouldn't and have been trying to establish better relationships with the people I live with and the people I go to class with. I must point out that it is a slow process and it takes energy and investment to establish friendships, but it is so worth it!

Now that we all have had some time to try to make more new friends, I now want to spend these last days of the month focusing on keeping our old friends. Many times we get so busy and caught up in our own lives that we take the people around us for granted. Let's be honest, we take them REALLY for granted. The emails, texts, phones messages saying "Let's do lunch, we need to catch up!" are easily forgotten or returned with empty responses like, "Yes we do! Maybe nest week?" But next week comes and goes and before we know it, its weeks or even months later and we still haven't caught up.

How depressing is that?

We need to not only be intentional with our new friends, but also with our existing relationships because one of the key factors in relationships is shared time and experiences. Most of us would be very adamant about how blessed we are with great family and friends, but do our time and actions reflect that belief? Usually not. The first that you can do to be proactive about sustaining current friendships is to make serious plans. Do not throw around empty promises. When someone says to you, "let's catch up" (or when you say it to someone else) set up a meeting right then. If you don't, chances are it won't happen!

You can also make time for shared hobbies. If you like playing guitar, going to coffee shops, or love tennis find the friends that love to do those same things and do them together. Or, if you're a student, chances are you spend a lot of time doing homework--so find a study group! I know these seem sort of obvious, but some times we overlook the simple ways to keep in touch.

If you have friends who don't happen to be geographically convenient, you can still keep in touch through phone calls, emails or encouraging notes/letters. That's right, I said letters (its that thing where you have a piece of paper and pen and take the time to write to someone) Its a lost art, but you can really make someone's day by handwriting something. Plus, who doesn't love to get mail? :)

If none of these work for you, than find your own way to build on and deepen existing relationships in your life. We are constantly being shaped and molded by those we choose to surround ourselves with, so make sure you are taking the time and putting in the effort to surround yourself with wonderful people and invest your time in true friendships.

Love and peace,

Trin