By Irene Conlan -
One of life’s greatest gifts is the gift of friendship. Most of us have many acquaintances and, if we are lucky (although luck has little to do with it) we have at least one good friend. If you have more that one true friend you are rich, indeed.
Most of us, when we were growing up, had a “best friend?” Best friends did everything together and entrusted each other with their craziest ideas, wildest dreams, and deepest secrets. When we got old enough to have a “romantic” girlfriend/boyfriend our interests changed but we still wanted and needed our “best friend.”
We still do.
There is no better self improvement tool than a good friend. A good friend is someone you trust and enjoy who is able to help you put your thoughts back on track when you get derailed, sit with you when you are grieving and laugh with you every chance they get. A good friend knows which buttons to push and not push and likes you despite these buttons. . A good friend does not just hear but truly listens and understands what you are saying, and just by mirroring you over time, helps take the rough edges off your personality
No matter what your age you need someone that you can trust to tell you the truth, to stick with you in the hard times and rejoice with you in the good times. Our spouse may be a “best friend” but we still need someone else in our lives, someone we know we can turn to and who can rely on us to be there for them as well. In my work with the grieving I work with many whose spouse has died and they have absolutely no one to lean on. They feel lost and alone, often without identity. A “best friend” can help lighten the load better than anyone else.
Today’s videos are about friendship. As you listen to Straight No Chaser sing “Stand By Me”, pay attention to the words. (The words are below). As you listen, reflect on your own life and your friendships. Who would stand by you? Who would you stand by? It’s never too late to begin to form a real friendship and each of us is worthy of a friend.
Stand By Me
By John LennonWhen the night has come
And the land is dark
And the moon is the only light we see
No I won’t be afraid
No I won’t be afraid
Just as long as you stand, stand by meAnd darling, darling stand by me
Oh, now, now, stand by me
Stand by me, stand by meIf the sky that we look upon
Should tumble and fall
And the mountain should crumble to the sea
I won’t cry, I won’t cry
No I won’t shed a tear
Just as long as you stand, stand by meWhenever you’re in trouble won’t you stand by me
Oh, now, now, stand by me
Oh, stand by me, stand by me, stand by me
