Best Friend, That’s My Best Friend!

Hubby tells me all the time that I use the term “friend” to loosely. I would have to agree…I mean the term associate seems so cold and uninviting don’t you think? Anyone who knows me, knows that if I call someone my associate, it really means I don’t like them; I tolerate them. But in all honesty, I must say that I rarely use that term. These last few months I have been seeing so many things on social media about broken friendships…this breaks my heart because I know how much I love my friends. Do me a favor…Think back on all your relationships, do you think that you use the term “Friend, Best Friend, Sister/Brother” too freely? If you do, I don’t necessarily think it’s a bad thing, but it can get you hurt if you are not careful. On the flip side of that, it could bring you and others joy in certain instances. Let’s look at both scenarios:

SHE’S MY FRIEND, HE’S MY FRIEND, EVERY BODY IS MY FRIEND:

Ok, I’m exaggerating a little, but like I said earlier my hubby thinks I use the term friend too loosely. Looking back on everything, I would probably say that he’s right (don’t tell him I said that) LOL So lets look at it from my point of view. I used to believe that if a person has spent some significant time with me, knows my family, my likes and dislikes, they are considered a friend. If someone asks me, I would say “oh yeah such and such is my friend.” Unfortunately this is not always true. It may be true to me, but the most important factor is if it is true to the other person. Like I have said over and over again we don’t all view friendship the same, and that’s ok. It all depends on the individual’s definition of what a friend is. Same thing goes for all relationships… How many times have you had one of your friends claim a guy/ girl as their “girlfriend/boyfriend” just to find out the other person doesn’t feel the same way?

Some people have a long list of the criteria they require one to have in order to be put in the friend category; some may have a short list. Whatever your list is, be proud of it. God makes special people to be friends with certain people others can’t. My love for people and my forgiving heart has gotten me hurt several times, but the truth is, even when I want to be mad and done with a situation, I always find the good in people. (my hubby also says I’m too forgiving) but you know what? I’m ok with that! That is how God made me! I try to see the beauty in everyone even when they show me their ugly side, because at the end of the day that is who I am. What I will never understand is how some people can be friends for so long and then walk away like the person never meant anything to their life. Here I go again with my positive thinking... I am choosing to believe that this is just pride getting the best of them, and that deep down inside, they really do care. Yes, I’m going with that.

I DON’T HAVE FRIENDS, I HAVE ASSOCIATES:

I don’t know about you, but I can’t stand when people say this…To me it’s as if they are building a wall to protect them from getting hurt, when in reality they could be blocking a blessing. I am by no means saying that as soon as you meet a person, call them your friend and let them into your inner circle. What I am saying, is don’t look for the worse in people first. Trust me, time will reveal who they really are. I always say follow your gut, and this holds true when building friendships as well. Looking at this from my eyes, I’m a person who tries to find the good in everybody. Unfortunately, this does not prevent me from getting hurt by people; so when I run across a person who constantly is afraid to call others their friends I don’t automatically think they are unfriendable. I think that they have been hurt so many times by people who they considered to be “friends” that the wall is up. But let’s be BLOUNT, not everyone will take the time to find out why you have a wall built around you. This could mean missing out on a great friendship…I know, I know…"if we were meant to be friends then that person would have made an effort to know me”….blah blah blah… But just with anything else it takes 2 people to make a relationship of any kind work and grow…. Think about it this way...that person maybe the most caring person in the world but on that particular day, they could have gone through something…remember as much as you want to believe it; the world does NOT revolve around you. So take a step back and try to view life from all angles; just having an open mind, can lead to open doors.

In the end, I say all this to say that whether you use the word friend loosely or not very often, own who YOU are and be ready to accept the fact that not everything will work in favor, but most times, it will. If you always stay true to YOU that’s all that matters! Now get out there, make a new friend, and most importantly…

Live BLOUNT-ly