Saturday, April 2, 2011

Are You a Good Friend?

By Dr Robert Anthony


"She became for me an island of light, fun, wisdom where I could run with my discoveries and torments and hopes at any time of day and find welcome." - May Sarton

Friendship is a balm during difficult times and an added joy in times of celebration. If you are lucky enough to have people in your life who have known you for many years, then you realize that there is a special kind of kinship in being known throughout your life. If your friends know you well, they can validate how you have changed and how, after all these years, you haven't. If you have
permission in your friendships, they can remind you of your hidden talents and encourage you to take the chances you shy away from.

Having a good friend is also about being one. A balanced friendship is seldom 50/50 all the time. Sometimes one person needs more than another for a while and then it switches around.  However, a healthy friendship is not about one person continually being dependent on another.  As you find yourself higher on the Levels of Awareness you may find that your friendships change. The people you were close to in the Victim/Struggle Level are seldom the same
people you want to hang out with when you are in Deliberate Creation.

Notice today how you are a good friend. Are there ways that you could be an even better friend? That might be an interesting conversation to share with a friend you care about.

"There's a special kind of freedom friends enjoy. Freedom to share innermost thoughts, to ask a favor, to show their true feelings. The freedom to simply be themselves." - Unknown

Books:

The Secret of Frienship (The Wizard of the Magic Road)

How to Be an Adult in Relationships: The Five Keys to Mindful Loving

Why Can't You Read My Mind? Overcoming the 9 Toxic Thought Patterns that Get in the Way of a Loving Relationship