“To have a good friend, be a good friend.”

The first thought that entered my mind were those words.

The headline says something diff0erent

Instead it says, 5 Ways to BE a Good Friend.

And those 5 ways are:

1) Be Thoughtful of Your Friend.

Always think of your friend before thinking of yourself. This can be tough for a younger person who is most likely thinking of their own selfish needs first.

“Cow 1 is not Cow 2” is a certain fact. You’re certainly not cows; Young Person 1 is not Young Person 2.

You’re all different, and yet the same human beings. You’re people, young people. And you know as much or more than I do about friendship.

You might think:

“What does she know? She is older than us. She can’t know how we are. Can she?

You are correct. I am no longer a teenager. But, I do know a few things about people. Sure they’re different. But, they’re still the same in many ways;

Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow.

Young people may dress, talk, and do things in a different way than me at that age.

But…

That means that we need to dialogue more or talk it out

Think first;
“What can I do for my friend?”
“What does my friend need?

Ask yourself, “Are all my thoughts selfish
If your answer is yes, you may need to think again.

Think deeper, more than skin deep. Think, “Do I think only of myself?” Or, “Do I think of my friend’s wants and needs more?”

When you can honestly say,
“My friend’s needs and wants are more important than my own needs and wants.” Then

you’re on the right track.

And that isn’t the kind of track where trains run or that goes around the football field where athletes warm up before practice.

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2) Be Kind to Your Friend

• 

Always be thoughtful.
Think only good things about your friend and to your friend. A good friend is a true friend.

If you hear yourself think or say, “I’m tired of that friend today. They won’t do as I want.”

If you don’t call that a selfish unkind way to think, perhaps you need to rethink.

Remain true to your friend. Otherwise, they won’t be your friend for long.

3) Be a True Friend.

Always give the benefit of the doubt to your friend. Never believe a rumor without checking the source first. Someone may be jealous of your friendship and spreading falsehoods.

You might think it’s just a simple rumor. Ask your friend directly if what you heard is true.

Friends need the courtesy of believing their story over something you heard someone say about them.

4) Kind Actions Speak Loudly.

Truer than anyone could ever imagine. When we act kindly, we usually get kindness right back to us.

This old saying might be true.

“Sticks and stones,

May break my bones.

But words can never

Hurt me.”

It says we can’t or won’t be hurt by anything anyone says about or to us.

Do you think words will never hurt?

Lots of people have been extremely hurt by something said about or to them. Some never ever get over those hurtful words.

The truth of the matter is:

If we want to hurt someone, say something mean, ugly or spread a lie or nasty rumor about them.

If you want someone to be kind to you,

First,

Be Kind to Them.

KINDNESS GETS KINDNESS

UGLINESS GETS UGLINESS

Make up your mind which you want to have…

KINDNESS or UGLINESS.

It’s a no-brainer!

Take kind and be kind all day, every day!

When actions speak louder than words ~

Make them kind actions.

So when the hear your words, they only hear kind words.

5) Be Loving To Your Friend

Everyone Loves a Dog!

Maybe not all people. Some prefer cats as pets.

However, this post’s about human friends, other people we know and love.

If we aren’t loving to our friend, how much longer can we expect they’ll be our friend?

True Short Story

Two teen-age girls met in high school. They had the same birth month, only three days apart. Both singers, pianists. roller skaters, and performers. These two were inseparable.

They liked the same food, same taste in clothes, other similarities. The two attended college and majored in music intending to become music teachers. They roomed together, pledged the same sorority, and were initiated as sorority sisters.

Seems as though we have a lifelong friendship going, right?

Almost.

Now senior citizens, the girls live separate lives miles apart. One recently told the other her busy life meant she wouldn’t be corresponding anymore. She didn’t have time for her lifelong friend.

That’s a sad statement. Even sadder is the rejected woman will never know the real reason why her ‘friend’ deserted the friendship.

Reminds me of a song:

“Make new friends,

But keep the old.

One is SILVER,

And the other GOLD.“

Yes, old friends are gold. We need to treasure our friendships. Honor and keep them close to our hearts.