Let's Be Friends!

I just got through reading an article by Robin Cain about the five best friends that everyone should have. I found this post to be particularly interesting and thought that I would share it with you. The recommended friends and reasons are as listed below.

1. A friend of another religion: If you’re an atheist, agnostic or a daily church goer, it is important to understand another’s views. If you come to know someone that wants to worship at the altar of the Holy Moly Monster, it is not up to you to judge or criticize his choices. You may not share his feelings or ideas on religion but he needs to be respected as well. Good friendship and communication can be reached through this manner.

2. A friend of a different sexual orientation: Some people may find this to be rather difficult but that is exactly why it needs to be done. Most fear and judgment is often times based on lack of information. Getting to know and becoming friends with someone who isn’t like you or who doesn’t do things like you do is a perfect opportunity to tear down barriers and misunderstandings. Neither a gay person or a straight person bites. There is nothing to fear. They are just like you and me. There are a huge amount of really great people out there who you’re missing out on because of your tendency to hang out with people of your own kind.  I’m straight but have always enjoyed very close and meaningful friendships with both gay men and women. As a matter of fact, one of my two best friends is a gay man who I have known and spent a lot of time with for over twenty years.

3. A friend of another ethnic group: As horrible as it is to even acknowledge, some people still live in the dark ages. Some people may never change their ways and I know that some of you may even know some of these sort of people. We would hope that some of these people have not managed to poison their children’s minds as well. For others, accepting or as race blind as you may be, it is still important to call someone of another ethnicity a close friend. Not just as a matter of statistics, or show off factor or satisfy one’s social consciousness but t really get into the head, skin, culture and heritage of one who isn’t like you. By bridging the gaps of understanding and appreciation for all of our struggles, it is then that we can all come together as a people and as a nation.

4. A friend at least half your age: Too often people forget what it was like to be a certain age and they lose both perspective and appreciation of the problems that age group faces. Even though we’ve been through it ourselves, each younger age group faces a different set of challenges at different times. In addition to this, older people tend to get set in their ways and become less open to new ideas and concepts. Having a good friend half as old will broaden one’s perspective, enliven one’s approaches and provide a check and balance system on one’s well being. The benefits are mutual, as you will be providing much needed advice and understanding. It is a win-win situation for both of you.

5. A friend at least 25 years older than you: This one is truly important, not only for your well being, but for them. Not only can they take joy in helping you through things they have already experienced, but you get perspective on what lies ahead. This applies particularly to the older adult – say over 50. Just imagine what wisdom a 75 year old had to pass down? That life experience and knowledge is priceless. To witness what an older person experiences is to get a glimpse of how to improve your own world. They’ve lived longer than you, they know more then you and they’ve accumulated a wealth of information. Be that someone this person chooses to pass it on to.

What do you think of these ideas? I do believe that they make perfect sense and I must admit that I have friends in all of the above groups but am always looking for new friends. Anyone interested in a new friend and sharing in life’s trials and tribulations?