The Importance of Friendship

By Sharae Walker on Tuesday, August 31, 2010
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Filled Under: Education
Many individuals may not put friendship on their list of top personal priorities. However friends are vital to our well-being. “In poverty and other misfortunes of life, true friends are a sure refuge. They keep the young out of mischief; they comfort and aid the old in their weakness, and they incite those in the prime of life to noble deeds.” – Aristole
 
With friends we realize that we are never alone. With friends we have a listening ear to vent to, a shoulder to cry on, and a friend to laugh with in our happiest moments.
 
On the other hand, this is not to say that every person we meet will be a life long friend. It takes a true friend to be our support system, and likewise for ourselves in providing the support to our friends need. In fact, true friends are very hard to come by. There are times in which we will meet individuals and consider them our true friends, only to learn otherwise at a later point in the relationship. For this reason, it is important to choose friends wisely.
 
1) Look for individuals that share the same value as you. Honesty, respect and integrity are great qualities to have in yourself, as well as a friend.
 
2) Have friends that will allow you to be your own individualistic self. Should a friend coarse you into being something you are not, then perhaps that friendship should be evaluated. A friend should allow you to be the same person throughout your relationship, as you were when you first met.
 
3) Understand that friends are not disposable. A true friend shouldn’t be flushed down the toilet the moment you have a disagreement. Such as life, it’s very rare that friendships will be smooth sailing. There will be moments in which you may not see eye to eye, however you should be able to discuss certain issues with your friends, and know that they will still be around tomorrow, furthermore a simply argument may stimulate your mind to see another point of view.

 
4) Friendships are two way streets. Like any other relationship, friendships must be nurtured. Both individuals must put time and effort into the relationship, and with communication, love, and support, that friendship will grow into a lasting long term bond.
 
 
It is essential for each of us to have friends, even if it’s only two…the friend that we have in ourselves and the friend that we have in another is just enough to help us live happier, and healthier on the journey through life.
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

Transitioning to Middle School, High School, or Just Heading Back to School….Now What!

By Sharae Walker on Monday, August 23, 2010
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Filled Under: Education

At some point in our life we each have to begin something new, and there are times in which these new circumstances may be a tad bit scary. A small dose of uncertainty is to be expected when tackling an unfamiliar task. It would be difficult to consider ourselves  completely human if we didn’t have those little butterflies fluttering around in the pit of our stomach.   

We must think of our new beginning as an exciting road waiting to be traveled on.  This journey will give us the opportunity to meet new and exciting people from all walks of life. It will also contribute to our learning and will allow us to become more diverse as we embark upon new stories of other individuals, new places, and perhaps new foods. Throughout our new journey we will also be able to share stories about the makeup of our own life bringing others into our world.  More importantly our new journey will challenge us to live life.  “Life should be lived so vividly and so intensely that thoughts of another life, or of a longer life, are not necessary.” Marjory Stoneman  

Our new path might be just the adventure that we’ve longed for, however we’ll never know if we are not committed to at least giving this road untraveled an honest effort.  There are a few ways that will help us get through the beginning stages of our new transition:

 1. Don’t be afraid to ask questions - At some point in everyone’s life, we’ve been a new student, or new colleague at work, so consider the person you are asking the question to, possible having been in that position as well, besides, asking questions is also a way to spark up a conversation, and perhaps meet your next new friend.

 2. Don’t worry too much about cliques - Sometimes groups of people are formed because they have similar interests. Overtime you too will meet people with like interests, however don’t be afraid to try new things, and also teach others about some of your interests.

 3. Be Yourself - The best person that we can be in life is ourselves. This is the only thing that we can do correctly the first time around. Trying to be something that we aren’t takes too much time, and too much effort.

 4. Have fun – Life is meant to be lived, each day is an experience. Enjoy the journey!

 “In order to live fully, it is necessary to be in constant movement, only then can each day be different than the last”. – Tengri

“It’s better to be a first rate version of yourself than a second rate version of someone else.”- Judy Garland

By Sharae Walker on Monday, August 2, 2010
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Filled Under: Education

There are times in which we view our life from the outside in.  By doing this, we see our neighbors house and car, our friends personality, and our favorite sports and television celebrities actions. We investigate everything they’ve done, and our minds become absorb in this person. Suddenly we begin to mimic their ways.

After performing these actions for several days, weeks, and months, we suddenly become unhappy. Why? Because we are not living the life intended for us. We have develop ourselves from the outside in, becoming a second rate version of someone else.

Take Montana Fishburne (Laurence Fishburne‘s daughter) for example, who recently decided to launch a career in the explicit adult entertainment industry. Her decision to become an adult entertainer wasn’t because she always dreamed of a this type of profession. Her decision was because of her observation to Kim Kardashians career, in which Kim launched her own explicit tape, suddenly becoming famous. After being a second rate version of someone else, will Montana find the happiness she anxiously seeks?

We each have a unique blueprint, our own distinctive path. We must believe and trust in our ability to get there. At some point in each of our lives we desire the want of success. This can be the success of love, relationships, health and or finances. We each have the power to reach our own level of success, however, it doesn’t necessarily mean it will be a simple journey. One of the most important things for us to remember throughout our journey is to not be lead by the individuals around us. We must take our OWN hand, and lead ourselves down our OWN journey to success.

Starting today you will not be a second rate version of your friend, your neighbor, your favorite television or movie celebrity. Starting today you will be a first rate version of YOU.