Friendship

My last blog post was dating concept related, but I want that to be a smaller part of this blog, overall.  Why?  It isn't because dating and romance are bad, but that is just one small part of what can make you happy.  And, it is very easy to get so wrapped up in the pursuit that you forget all the other things that can make you happy, including those things that you can do all on your own... things that you like and don't have to check with someone about doing and don't have to get someone to go with you to do.  There is also friendship, which I think hold MUCH value for you, probably more than a romance in my opinion.  So, I wanted to do a post about friendship to highlight a kind of connection too often overlooked or minimized.

First of all, friendship is not romance.  I have heard many people over my life talk about their frustration when they start being friendly to someone of the opposite sex and that person thinks the the acts of friendship or being nice is flirting.  Indeed, I have had that frustration, myself.  However, friendship is not flirting.  Friendship is friendship.  Flirting is flirting.  Of course, a lesson to others is that it goes in the opposite direction, as well.  You should not think that you are displaying romance for someone else if you are simply being kind of friendly, too.  It is a different kind of communication and action to flirt and be romantic than to just be kind, supportive, encouraging, listening, or helpful.  Those are qualities that I would HOPE we can all display for everyone around us that needs it, and those are qualities of a good friend... thus my saying I think having a friend can be much more important than having romance, and I would suggest that you never trade friendship for romance by being with someone that will not let you have your friends.

When you find a real friend, it is like finding family.  You know that they will be there for you in your need, and you know they will care about your struggles.  They know that you will change your plans to aid them or dig through trash for something important that they lost.  When good things happen, who do you want to tell... your friends.  When bad things happen, who do you need to be there for you.. your friends.  

So, yes.. date (slowly and observantly and without sacrificing your needs or wants), but more importantly, make friends and be a a friend.  On your path to happiness, that is one consistent type of connection that you will want to have to the end of your life journey.