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Friendship Thursday

By Barrington H. Brennen, December 18, 2014 

 

Today is Friendship Thursday.  It is a time to emphasize the importance of friendship and to encourage everyone to make new friends today or rekindle old friendships.  This article is the third in the series during the month of December dubbed by Sounds of Encouragement (SOE) as “Social Transformation Month.” Last Thursday was “Smiling Thursday.”   During the month of December we are inviting every resident of The Bahamas, Black and White, foreigner and Bahamian to engage in social transformation by doing simple acts that SOE believes can change our country for the better.  Next week, December 25 will be “Giving Thursday.”  Then finally, January 1 will be “New Relationship Thursday.”

 

The next two Thursdays are public holidays (Christmas and New Year’s Day).  Therefore, the newspapers will not be printed those days.  However, I want to remind you that December 25 is “Giving Thursday” and January 1, 2015, is New Relationship Thursday.   On December 25 (Christmas Day) I invite everyone to find a way of giving something to someone in need.  It could be a warm meal, a piece of clothing, a pair of shoes, your time and skill to do much-needed repairs on a house, etc.   Make Christmas Day a real day of giving and sharing.    On Thursday, January 1, 2015, it will be “New Relationship Day.”  On this day (January 1, 2015) I encourage everyone to seek to create a new friendship relationship or strengthen old ones.   Find someone you know at work, a neighbor, or anyone familiar that you have not really connected closely with.   Seek for form long-lasting meaningful friendship relationship.   You may also seek to strengthen a friendship relationship or start a new relationship by doing one of the following: 

·         Write a letter to a friend

·         Purchase a friendship card for a friend

·         Invited a friend for a meal in your home

·         Invite neighbors to watch a movie together with you

·         Invite a neighbor to your home.

·         Visit the neighbors next door and share something with them

·         Call a friend

·         Email a friend

 

Today, it is friendship day.   Yes, it is obvious that today’s emphasis is similar to the first day in January.  Today, the focus is not necessarily creating now relationship but strengthening old ones instead.  However, the suggestions above can be used on both days.  

 

We boast of being a friendly people but in truth, we have lost the warmth and the special touch of being friendly to others.  We must change this.  We need to start by being friendly to our own people.  We need to be friendly our neighbors, fellow church members, social club members, co-workers, etc.   When we sincerely seek to do that we can begin to make a difference in our communities and our country.

 

Even if only we made an effort to connect with someone with common interests, values, similar history, that would make a big difference in our communities. 

 

HOW TO ATTRACT FRIENDS

How can one attract friends?  I think Dr. Alex Lickerman puts it very clearly in his article “The True Meaning Of Friendship.”  He quotes from Gandhi: "Be the change you wish to see in the world."   Dr. Lickerman continues: “Be the friend you want to have. We all tend to attract people into our lives whose character mirrors our own. You don't have to make yourself into what you think others would find attractive. No matter what your areas of interest, others share them somewhere. Simply make yourself a big target. Join social clubs organized around activities you enjoy. Leverage the Internet to find people of like mind. Take action.”  

 

Dear reader, let the change begin with you.   Happy friendship Thursday!

 

Barrington H. Brennen is the co founder and president of Sounds of Encouragement. He is a marriage and family therapist and board certified clinical psychotherapist, USA. Send your questions or comments to barringtonbrennen@gmail.com or write to P.O. Box CB-13019, Nassau, The Bahamas, or visit www.soencouragement.org  or call 242-327-1980 or 242-477-4002

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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