How to be a good friend

Just some ideals that I have learned, and had other people suggest. Some of which I am working harder to become.

• Show genuine interest.
  Let them know you care. Express genuine interest by asking questions. Get them talking. I find the act of talking and thinking about something you are genuinely interested in and having someone genuinely happy to hear about it is one of the best feelings in the world.
  
  
• Acknowledge what’s important to them.
  When you acknowledge what’s important to others, you provide a form of affirmation and validation about who they are and what they’re doing. Whether they can admit it or not, everyone craves this acknowledgment. The affirmation and validation of this is an amazing confidence and self-esteem booster.
  
  
• Say “Well done”.
  Let people know they’ve done a good job when they have! Nothing worth doing is ever easy. Worthwhile things always takes time and effort. One good way of providing encouragement to your friend is simply by saying “Well done” or “Congratulations”. These words can sometimes make all the difference between “keep going” and “give up”.
  
  
• SAY “THANK YOU”!!!
  Common courtesy! Good manners. It’s only natural to expect a reward after hard work. It’s only natural to thank someone when they do something for you. Say thank you to someone right now. Thank the producers of Arrested Development for FINALLY deciding to make a movie, thank your friend for going with you to see it. A simple thank you lets others know what they have done is worthwhile and meaningful to you.
  
  
  
• RECIPROCATE THE FAVOUR!
  If someone does something nice for you, show your appreciation and simply reciprocate the favour. Think of it as a pendulum. They do something nice for you. You do something nice for them. They do something nice for you.. what a world!
  
  
• Ask for advice or confide in your friends.
  This is almost like flattery. Haven’t you felt like you were on top of the world when someone asked you for advice or confided in you about something personal or important to them? Didn’t that make you want to help and do everything you can? But don't ask so many questions you start to sound whingey.. nobody likes that
  
  
  
• Offer to lend a hand!
  Waiting for someone to ask you for advice is passive. You can be proactive and a sick cunt by offering to lend a hand. If that person sees that you are willing to commit your own time and energy in their interests, they will be more committed to seeing it through and less likely to give up themselves.
  

Just another list from Marlee Kate Wiseman

Dinner alone, but not lonely

Last night, I was alone for dinner and I chose to enjoy my meal outside in the lovely warm weather on my balcony. It was great, and I enjoy my own company (usually).

Today, as well as having a fantastic shopping day with my friend Alex, I went on a lovely walk to my local beauty salon Milton Skin and Beauty to get a spray tan for the upcoming festivities. I decided that today, I would walk a different way to the salon. I had never walked it before, but had driven through multiple times, and I was quite sure of the way. Along my walk, I got to thinking about how beautiful it was to be outside in the sun, and just wandering along listening to music. It was fantastic ( remember, I have missed out on this.. the whole 65 days of work thing) to be outside enjoying my alone time. In the last few days I have been lucky enough to spend some quality time with myself, and it has felt great. I work in a very emotionally tiring job; being helpful and happy all day long can really weigh down every now and again, so it has been fantastic just to sit around quietly and spend some time with my number 1 fan ( myself).

Don't get me wrong, I am not some crazy hermit or cat lady, and although more often than not, I wish I could be, I know I am far too talkative, and cats just are not responsive enough! Even though I love to be left alone for awhile, I am absolutely chuffed I have amazing people like Alex in my life, to spend the day shopping, trying on clothes, and judging which variation of red/brown/orange/purple nail polish would be best. In the last 12 months of so, Alex and my friendship has definitely blossomed. It has evolved from socialising at work, to talking most days, even if it just be sarcastic remarks about work/people/TV shows. It is her passion for literacy and learning, that has pushed me to rekindle my love for the L's, and I thank her for that.


Tomorrow is my last shift at Target, and then we are going out for drinks to celebrate the end of an era. Hopefully I'll have a few photos to share, we'll see. Anyway, best be off. I'm trying to convince JGF to take me out for ice cream!!