FRIEND OR FOLLOWER CONTINUED: I have a best friend. He has been in my life since almost the beginning of my college days. We have had some great times together. We also have shared some bad times together. There were times when he was the best thing to happen to me. I hope that he would be able to say the same about me. But I’m not worried if he doesn’t. People need to understand something. Just because I call him “my best friend” that doesn’t mean that he thinks that I am “his” best friend. It doesn’t necessarily work like that. It doesn’t have to either. We want to believe that we are good for people. When we think highly about others we want them to think the same way about us. But you know what? I never worry about who he thinks his best friend is. I just worry about me doing my part in taking care of our relationship. I know people who get angry when one of their friends would invite others out somewhere that the person wouldn’t want to go. CONFUSED? HERE’S AN EXAMPLE “A” and “B” are friends. “A” likes to ski and “B” doesn’t. “A” is going skiing and invites “C” to go. “B” gets mad with “A” for inviting “C”. But “A” is trying to be “B’s” friend. Why would “A” invite “B” when “A” knows “B” doesn’t like to sky? But “B” will still get mad at “A” for not giving “B” an invitation. Why is this? It’s because “B” doesn’t want to feel “left out”! But if “B” went skiing; “B” would end up getting left out anyway because “B” doesn’t know how to ski. I’m writing this because the sooner people get really “real” with their relationships, the better. People are so superficial about many things. Being a “best friend” doesn’t necessarily mean that you are at your best friend’s house all the time. If for some reason that’s the way your relationship works out; fine. It doesn’t have to work out like that. Do you remember “The Honeymooners” with Jackie Gleason? (Am I showing my age ; that I have cable; or both?) Ralph and Ed were best friends. They lived in the same building. They took their wives out together. They went on vacations together. The two men were in the same lodge and even bowled on the same team. As diverse as our lives are today, it’s hard to find people who do everything together. So what am I saying? You don’t have to be everything or the best thing to your best friend; you just have to be the best friend that you can be. (That’s a play on words) To be continued….
Posted on: Thu, 15 Aug 2013 01:13:52 +0000