Q. I read an article on finding a close friend. It
presented some interesting ideas but I still don't know how to find an old
fashioned, down to earth, run-around friend. It seems to me that nobody wants
one.
A. A run-around friend is a wonderful thing to
have but is not always easy to find in today's fast paced world. I know that
many people do want friends. Many want friends but are afraid to open up or
reach out. Perhaps your acquaintances are waiting for you to make the first
move, or the second or third move. Reach out to those around you showing them
you want to be friends. Do this over and over again. If one person is cool to you,
try someone else. Don't give up.
Friendship takes more effort and more time than we think it will. So
be prepared to work at finding "a run around friend." Often we
overlook the most obvious source of friends, the people we already know. Family
members can be good friends. There may be a second cousin, an aunt or a niece
we only know casually who would like to be better friends. We may dismiss
people we already know because we just haven't connected with them. If we show
more interest in them a friendship may develop.
Listed
below are some additional ways you can look for a run around friend:
1. Become
active in a church. Look for one that is friendly and that meets your spiritual
needs. Join small groups in the church and reach out to get to know other
members.
2. Talk
to your neighbors. Share vegetables from your garden with them; show an
interest in their activities and their family.
3. Talk
to clerks and cashiers where you regularly shop. You will gradually get to know
them and a friendship may develop.
4. Join a
support group. There are support groups for a variety of needs and these groups
become very close and personal. Watch the newspapers for listings of these.
5. Join a
special interest group such as a hiking club, or sewing club or join the Y or
Senior Citizens for a variety of activities.
6. Volunteer
to help at a hospital or nursing home or with any of the many social agencies
who need help.
7. Start
an interest group of your own and invite the people you know to join you. You
might also advertise this to Facebook friends.
8. Join a
group in connection with your work or career such as a union group or a
professional group.
9. Volunteer
to work in a political campaign.
10. Throw
a party for all your acquaintances.
11. Invite
an acquaintance over for coffee.
12. Invite
an acquaintance to go shopping, out to lunch or to a movie with you.
13. Sell Avon door to door in your neighborhood.
14. Send
cards and notes to anyone you know who is sick or lonely or shut in.
In all these connections that you try out follow the Ten Ways to Love listed above in order to grow a casual friendship into a deeper one.
I hope
these ideas will help you find "a run around friend."
“A friend is always loyal, and a brother
is born to help in time of need.” Proverbs 17:17 NLT
“There are “friends” who destroy each
other, but a real friend sticks closer than a brother.” Proverbs18:24 NLT
Blessings,
Dottie
Dottie: This is a very good list of activities to pursue when searching for friends.
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