Want to be a great friend? Check out this article from Emma Pattee, writing for the NY Times. Then, read the inspiring story after that.
“If you want closer friendships, the first step is to decide you’re going to do something about it. ‘We think about relationships as things that happen to us, but the truth is that we make them happen,’ psychologist Dr. Sue Johnson said. Getting closer to your existing friends requires making the time and being intentional.”
“Before we can attempt closeness, we need to have security. Through his research, Dr. Amir Levine (a psychiatrist and a neuroscientist) has identified the five foundational elements of secure relationships, which he refers to as CARRP.”
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Consistency (Do these friends drift in and out of my life on a whim?)
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Availability (How available are they to spend time together?)
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Reliability (Can I count on them if I need something?)
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Responsiveness (Do they reply to my emails and texts? Do I hear from them on a consistent basis?)
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Predictability (Can I count on them to act in a certain way?)
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Click the image to read a lot more from Pattee.
A Terrific Story of an Act of Kindness
Good deeds sometimes get recognized in a big way. Consider this heartwarming story. As reported by Alexandra Deabler for Fox News:
“A Denny’s waitress is feeling very thankful after a generous couple of diners gifted her a car.
“Adrianna Edwards of Galveston, Texas, used to walk 14 miles a day to get to her job at the diner chain. The entire journey took her more than four hours. ‘You’ve got to do what you’ve got to do,’ Edwards said to KTRK of her long trek.”
“Edwards was in the process of saving to buy a car when a kind couple took matters into their own hands. The pair, who reportedly requested to remain anonymous, visited the restaurant last Tuesday morning for breakfast. It was then they learned of Edwards’ long trips to and from work each day.”
“After eating their meal, the couple left. Only to return hours later with the surprise of a lifetime — a 2011 Nissan Sentra they had just purchased, KTRK reports. The couple was happy to help Edwards out, but requested that she pay it forward to others in need, which the woman has said she intends on doing.”
