ORACLES: Lesson 4

“Be the kind of friend you wish you had.”

Whenever we’re in need of a friend it’s easy to identify traits that we deem ideal. We want someone who relates, understands, encourages, laughs and is completely honest. Yet, with this short list, we refuse to be that person we’d like to have in our lives. Instead, we justify and excuse our impatience, intolerance, and rigid sense of selfishness not realizing that what we want or need is what others want also.

I remember being in Mrs. Tucker’s third grade class on the first day of school. A few of my classmates moved around the room full of personality while I sat watching behaviors and deciding of those five girls which would be my friend. After assessing, I chose those to whom I would make myself vulnerable. In other words, I let my guards down to engage those most like me, and I was what I also wanted in a friend.

As an adult, the approach is a little rudimentary, but the principle is the same. People gravitate towards those most like themselves or those they would emulate. So, if you’re wishing for friends, be inviting. Be enjoyable. Be fun. Make yourself vulnerable and be the kind of person others want to associate with. Have integrity. Be honest. Be encouraging and motivating. Love yourself and live life to the fullest!

Be the person you would love to have in your life and that person will show up to join you!