Faceless Friends
We sit and we type and we stare at our screens
We all have to wonder, what this possibly means
~
With our mouse we roam, through the rooms in a maze
Looking for something or someone as we sit in a daze
~
We chat with each other, we type all our woes
Small groups we do form and gang up on our foes
~
We wait for somebody, to type out our name
We want recognition but it is always the same
~
We give kisses and hugs, and sometimes flirt
In IM's we chat deeply and reveal why we hurt
~
We do form friendships - but - why we don't know
But some of these friendships will flourish and grow
~
Why is it on screens, we can be so bold
Telling our secrets that have never been told
~
Why is it we share, the thoughts in our mind
With those we can't see as though we were blind
~
The answer is simple, it is as clear as a bell
We all have our problems and need someone to tell
~
We can't tell real people, but tell someone we must
So we turn to the 'puter' and to those we can trust
~
Even though it is crazy, the truth still remains
They are *Friends Without Faces* with odd little names.
Thursday, May 24, 2007
The Colors Of Friendship
THE COLORS OF FRIENDSHIP
Once upon a time
the colors of the world started to quarrel.
All claimed that they were the best.
The most important.
The most useful.
The favorite.
GREEN said:
Clearly I am the most important. I am the sign of life and of hope.
I was chosen for grass, trees and leaves. Without me,
all animals would die. Look over the countryside and you
will see that I am in the majority."
BLUE interrupted:
"You only think about the earth, but consider the sky and the sea.
It is the water that is the basis of life and drawn up by
the clouds from the deep sea. The sky gives space and
peace and serenity. Without my peace, you would all be nothing."
YELLOW chuckled:
"You are all so serious. I bring laughter, gaiety, and warmth into
the world. The sun is yellow, the moon is yellow, the stars are yellow.
Every time you look at a sunflower, the whole world
starts to smile. Without me there would be no fun."
ORANGE started next to blow her trumpet:
"I am the color of health and strength. I may be scarce,
but I am precious for I serve the needs of human life. I carry
the most important vitamins. Think of carrots, pumpkins, oranges,
mangoes, and pawpaws. I don't hang around all the time, but
when I fill the sky at sunrise or sunset, my beauty is so striking
that no one gives another thought to any of you."
RED could stand it no longer he shouted out:
"I am the ruler of all of you. I am blood - life's blood!
I am the color of danger and of bravery. I am willing to fight for a cause.
I bring fire into the blood. Without me, the earth would be as empty
as the moon. I am the color of passion and of love, the red rose,
the poinsettia and the poppy."
PURPLE rose up to his full height:
He was very tall and spoke with great pomp:
"I am the color of royalty and power. Kings, cheifs, and bishops have
always chosen me for I am the sign of authority and wisdom.
People do not question me! They listen and obey."
Finally INDIGO spoke, much more quietly than all the others,
but with just as much determination:
"Think of me. I am the color of silence. You hardly notice me,
but without me you all become superficial. I represent thought
and reflection, twilight and deep water. You need me for balance
and contrast, for prayer and inner peace."
And so the colors went on boasting,
each convinced of his or her own superiority.
Their quarreling became louder and louder.
Suddenly there was a startling flash of bright lightening thunder rolled
and boomed. Rain started to pour down relentlessly. The colors crouched
down in fear, drawing close to one another for comfort.
In the midst of the clamor, rain began to speak:
"You foolish colors, fighting amongst yourselves, each trying to
dominate the rest. Don't you know that you were each made for a
special purpose, unique and different?
Join hands with one another and come to me."
Doing as they were told, the colors united and joined hands.
The rain continued:
"From now on, when it rains, each of you will stretch across
the sky in a great bow of color as a reminder
that you can all live in peace.
The Rainbow is a sign of hope for tomorrow."
And so,
whenever a good rain washes the world,
and a Rainbow appears in the sky,
let us remember to appreciate one another.
In my search for the Rainbows end, I found,
not GOLD, but you my friend.
Once upon a time
the colors of the world started to quarrel.
All claimed that they were the best.
The most important.
The most useful.
The favorite.
GREEN said:
Clearly I am the most important. I am the sign of life and of hope.
I was chosen for grass, trees and leaves. Without me,
all animals would die. Look over the countryside and you
will see that I am in the majority."
BLUE interrupted:
"You only think about the earth, but consider the sky and the sea.
It is the water that is the basis of life and drawn up by
the clouds from the deep sea. The sky gives space and
peace and serenity. Without my peace, you would all be nothing."
YELLOW chuckled:
"You are all so serious. I bring laughter, gaiety, and warmth into
the world. The sun is yellow, the moon is yellow, the stars are yellow.
Every time you look at a sunflower, the whole world
starts to smile. Without me there would be no fun."
ORANGE started next to blow her trumpet:
"I am the color of health and strength. I may be scarce,
but I am precious for I serve the needs of human life. I carry
the most important vitamins. Think of carrots, pumpkins, oranges,
mangoes, and pawpaws. I don't hang around all the time, but
when I fill the sky at sunrise or sunset, my beauty is so striking
that no one gives another thought to any of you."
RED could stand it no longer he shouted out:
"I am the ruler of all of you. I am blood - life's blood!
I am the color of danger and of bravery. I am willing to fight for a cause.
I bring fire into the blood. Without me, the earth would be as empty
as the moon. I am the color of passion and of love, the red rose,
the poinsettia and the poppy."
PURPLE rose up to his full height:
He was very tall and spoke with great pomp:
"I am the color of royalty and power. Kings, cheifs, and bishops have
always chosen me for I am the sign of authority and wisdom.
People do not question me! They listen and obey."
Finally INDIGO spoke, much more quietly than all the others,
but with just as much determination:
"Think of me. I am the color of silence. You hardly notice me,
but without me you all become superficial. I represent thought
and reflection, twilight and deep water. You need me for balance
and contrast, for prayer and inner peace."
And so the colors went on boasting,
each convinced of his or her own superiority.
Their quarreling became louder and louder.
Suddenly there was a startling flash of bright lightening thunder rolled
and boomed. Rain started to pour down relentlessly. The colors crouched
down in fear, drawing close to one another for comfort.
In the midst of the clamor, rain began to speak:
"You foolish colors, fighting amongst yourselves, each trying to
dominate the rest. Don't you know that you were each made for a
special purpose, unique and different?
Join hands with one another and come to me."
Doing as they were told, the colors united and joined hands.
The rain continued:
"From now on, when it rains, each of you will stretch across
the sky in a great bow of color as a reminder
that you can all live in peace.
The Rainbow is a sign of hope for tomorrow."
And so,
whenever a good rain washes the world,
and a Rainbow appears in the sky,
let us remember to appreciate one another.
In my search for the Rainbows end, I found,
not GOLD, but you my friend.
The Best Kind Of Friend Is The Kind You..
The best kind of friend is the kind you
can sit on a porch and swing with,
never say a word, and then walk away
feeling like it was the best
conversation you've every had
A simple friend has never seen you cry.
A real friend has shoulders soggy from your tears.
A simple friend doesn't know your parents' first names.
A real friend has their phone numbers in his address book.
A simple friend brings a bottle of wine to your party.
A real friend comes early to help you cook and stays late
to help you clean.
A simple friend hates it when you call after he has gone to bed.
A real friend asks you why you took so long to call.
A simple friend seeks to talk with you about your problems.
A real friend seeks to help you with your problems.
A simple friend wonders about your romantic history.
A real friend could blackmail you with it.
A simple friend, when visiting, acts like a guest.
A real friend opens your refrigerator and helps himself.
A simple friend thinks the friendship is over when you have an argument.
A real friend knows that it's not a friendship until after you've had a fight.
A simple friend expects you to always be there for them.
A real friend expects to always be there for you!
can sit on a porch and swing with,
never say a word, and then walk away
feeling like it was the best
conversation you've every had
A simple friend has never seen you cry.
A real friend has shoulders soggy from your tears.
A simple friend doesn't know your parents' first names.
A real friend has their phone numbers in his address book.
A simple friend brings a bottle of wine to your party.
A real friend comes early to help you cook and stays late
to help you clean.
A simple friend hates it when you call after he has gone to bed.
A real friend asks you why you took so long to call.
A simple friend seeks to talk with you about your problems.
A real friend seeks to help you with your problems.
A simple friend wonders about your romantic history.
A real friend could blackmail you with it.
A simple friend, when visiting, acts like a guest.
A real friend opens your refrigerator and helps himself.
A simple friend thinks the friendship is over when you have an argument.
A real friend knows that it's not a friendship until after you've had a fight.
A simple friend expects you to always be there for them.
A real friend expects to always be there for you!
ABC Of Friendship
ABC OF FRIENDSHIP
A Friend ....
Accepts you as you are
Believes in you
Calls you just to say ~Hi~
Doesn't give up on you
Envisions the whole of you (even the unfinished parts)
Forgives your mistakes
Gives unconditionally
Helps you
Invites you over
Just because
Keeps you close at heart
Loves you for who you are
Makes a difference in your life
Never judges
0ffers support
Picks you up
Quiets your fears
Raises your spirits
Says nice things about you
Tells you the truth when you need to hear it
Understands you
Values you
Walks beside you
Xxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox
Yells (gently) when you won't listen and
Zaps you back to reality (OUCH!)
A Friend ....
Accepts you as you are
Believes in you
Calls you just to say ~Hi~
Doesn't give up on you
Envisions the whole of you (even the unfinished parts)
Forgives your mistakes
Gives unconditionally
Helps you
Invites you over
Just because
Keeps you close at heart
Loves you for who you are
Makes a difference in your life
Never judges
0ffers support
Picks you up
Quiets your fears
Raises your spirits
Says nice things about you
Tells you the truth when you need to hear it
Understands you
Values you
Walks beside you
Xxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox
Yells (gently) when you won't listen and
Zaps you back to reality (OUCH!)
Stage Of Friendship
STAGE OF FRIENDSHIP
In kindergarten your idea of a good friend
was the person who let you have the red crayon
when all that was left was the ugly black one.
In first grade your idea of a good friend
was the person who went to the bathroom with you
and held your hand as you walked through the scary halls.
In second grade your idea of a good friend
was the person who helped you stand up
to the class bully.
In third grade your idea of a good friend
was the person who shared their lunch
with you when you forgot yours on the bus.
In fourth grade your idea of a good friend
was the person who was willing to switch square dancing
partners in gym so you wouldn't have to be
stuck do-si-do-ing with the dork of the class.
In fifth grade your idea of a friend
was the person who saved a seat
on the back of the bus for you.
In sixth grade your idea of a friend
was the person who went up to your new crush,
and asked them to dance with you,
so that if they said no
you wouldn't have to be embarrassed.
In seventh grade your idea of a friend was
the person who let you copy the social studies homework
from the night before that you had forgotten about.
In eighth grade your idea of a good friend
was the person who helped you pack up your
stuffed animals and old baseball cards
so that your room would be a "high schooler's" room,
but didn't laugh at you when you
finished and broke out into tears.
In ninth grade your idea of a good friend
was the person who went with you
to that "cool" party thrown by a senior
so you wouldn't wind up
being the only freshman there.
In tenth grade your idea of a good friend
was the person who changed their schedule so
you would have someone to sit with at lunch.
In eleventh grade your idea of a good friend
was the person who gave you rides in their new car,
convinced your parents that you shouldn't be grounded,
consoled you when you broke up with your significant other
and found you a date to the prom.
In twelfth grade your idea of a good friend
was the person who helped you pick out a college,
assured you that you would get into that college,
helped you deal with your parents who were having
a hard time adjusting to the idea of letting you go.
At graduation your idea of a good friend
was the person who was crying on the inside but
managed the biggest smile one could give
as they congratulated you.
The summer after twelfth grade your idea of a good friend
was the person who helped you clean up from that party.
Helped you sneak out of the house when you just
couldn't deal with your parents.
Assured you that now that your
significant other were back together,
you could make it through anything.
Helped you pack up for college
and just silently hugged you as you looked
through blurry eyes at 18 years of memories
you were leaving behind.
And finally on those last days of childhood,
went out of their way to come over
and send you off with a hug, alot of memories
and reassurance that you would make it in college
as well as you had these past 18 years.
But most importantly sent you off to college
knowing you were loved.
Now, your idea of a good friend is still the person
who gives you the better of the two choices.
Holds your hand when you're scared.
Helps you fight off those who try to take advantage of you.
Thinks of you at times when you are not there.
Reminds you of what you have forgotten.
Helps you put the past behind you but understands
when you need to hold on to it a little longer.
Stays with you so that you have confidence.
Goes out of their way to make time for you.
Helps you clear up your mistakes.
Helps you deal with pressure from others.
Smiles for you when they are sad.
Helps you become a better person.
However most importantly loves you!
In kindergarten your idea of a good friend
was the person who let you have the red crayon
when all that was left was the ugly black one.
In first grade your idea of a good friend
was the person who went to the bathroom with you
and held your hand as you walked through the scary halls.
In second grade your idea of a good friend
was the person who helped you stand up
to the class bully.
In third grade your idea of a good friend
was the person who shared their lunch
with you when you forgot yours on the bus.
In fourth grade your idea of a good friend
was the person who was willing to switch square dancing
partners in gym so you wouldn't have to be
stuck do-si-do-ing with the dork of the class.
In fifth grade your idea of a friend
was the person who saved a seat
on the back of the bus for you.
In sixth grade your idea of a friend
was the person who went up to your new crush,
and asked them to dance with you,
so that if they said no
you wouldn't have to be embarrassed.
In seventh grade your idea of a friend was
the person who let you copy the social studies homework
from the night before that you had forgotten about.
In eighth grade your idea of a good friend
was the person who helped you pack up your
stuffed animals and old baseball cards
so that your room would be a "high schooler's" room,
but didn't laugh at you when you
finished and broke out into tears.
In ninth grade your idea of a good friend
was the person who went with you
to that "cool" party thrown by a senior
so you wouldn't wind up
being the only freshman there.
In tenth grade your idea of a good friend
was the person who changed their schedule so
you would have someone to sit with at lunch.
In eleventh grade your idea of a good friend
was the person who gave you rides in their new car,
convinced your parents that you shouldn't be grounded,
consoled you when you broke up with your significant other
and found you a date to the prom.
In twelfth grade your idea of a good friend
was the person who helped you pick out a college,
assured you that you would get into that college,
helped you deal with your parents who were having
a hard time adjusting to the idea of letting you go.
At graduation your idea of a good friend
was the person who was crying on the inside but
managed the biggest smile one could give
as they congratulated you.
The summer after twelfth grade your idea of a good friend
was the person who helped you clean up from that party.
Helped you sneak out of the house when you just
couldn't deal with your parents.
Assured you that now that your
significant other were back together,
you could make it through anything.
Helped you pack up for college
and just silently hugged you as you looked
through blurry eyes at 18 years of memories
you were leaving behind.
And finally on those last days of childhood,
went out of their way to come over
and send you off with a hug, alot of memories
and reassurance that you would make it in college
as well as you had these past 18 years.
But most importantly sent you off to college
knowing you were loved.
Now, your idea of a good friend is still the person
who gives you the better of the two choices.
Holds your hand when you're scared.
Helps you fight off those who try to take advantage of you.
Thinks of you at times when you are not there.
Reminds you of what you have forgotten.
Helps you put the past behind you but understands
when you need to hold on to it a little longer.
Stays with you so that you have confidence.
Goes out of their way to make time for you.
Helps you clear up your mistakes.
Helps you deal with pressure from others.
Smiles for you when they are sad.
Helps you become a better person.
However most importantly loves you!
Friends Listen To Friends
Friends Listen to Friends
We often take listening for granted, never realizing what it means to really listen to a friend.
Watch someone really listening to another person. He makes eye contact and focuses on the other person. He listens with his eyes as well as his ears. While listening, he nods or makes attentive noises from time-to-time. He is a skilled, attentive listener. The person he is listening to feels a sense of communication.
You can grow more friends with your ears and with your eyes than with your mouth.
After your next conversation, test your ability to benefit from listening to that conversation. Analyze and ask yourself:
• What did I learn from my friend?
• What did I learn about my friend?
• Did anyone interrupt?
• What questions should I have asked?
• What questions should I have answered more thoroughly?
• Was I absolutely certain I understood everything?
• Did I ask for clarification?
• Did I practice acknowledgment?
• Did my friend practice acknowledgment?
• Were both parties attending?
• Was the conversation balanced?
• Did anyone keep changing the subject?
• Did anyone get angry?
• Did anyone appear sad?
• Was everyone paying attention?
What will I do different in my next conversation?
The ability to listen is a skill that can be improved with use. This skill can and will improve your friendships.
Repeat:
You can grow more friends with your ears and with your eyes than with your mouth
We often take listening for granted, never realizing what it means to really listen to a friend.
Watch someone really listening to another person. He makes eye contact and focuses on the other person. He listens with his eyes as well as his ears. While listening, he nods or makes attentive noises from time-to-time. He is a skilled, attentive listener. The person he is listening to feels a sense of communication.
You can grow more friends with your ears and with your eyes than with your mouth.
After your next conversation, test your ability to benefit from listening to that conversation. Analyze and ask yourself:
• What did I learn from my friend?
• What did I learn about my friend?
• Did anyone interrupt?
• What questions should I have asked?
• What questions should I have answered more thoroughly?
• Was I absolutely certain I understood everything?
• Did I ask for clarification?
• Did I practice acknowledgment?
• Did my friend practice acknowledgment?
• Were both parties attending?
• Was the conversation balanced?
• Did anyone keep changing the subject?
• Did anyone get angry?
• Did anyone appear sad?
• Was everyone paying attention?
What will I do different in my next conversation?
The ability to listen is a skill that can be improved with use. This skill can and will improve your friendships.
Repeat:
You can grow more friends with your ears and with your eyes than with your mouth
Maitaning Friendship Is Crucial
Maintaining friendship is Crucial; Best Friends Take Time.
Best friends require one-on-one contact to survive. Telephone calls and getting together are musts for best friends to continue.
In fact, probably the quickest way to end a friendship is to neglect it and sever contact.
Yet it is hard to make time in a busy day and busy life to maintain our friends. But you don't have to have hours to spare to maintain a friendship.
Instead try the following to keep from neglecting your friends:
• Send frequent email. Email is a boon for a quick note.
• Call once a week. Telephone calls do not take long.
• Keep in touch through brief messages left on answering machines.
• Send an occasional card. Funny and/or appropriate cards take minutes to choose and address.
• Exercise together. We all have to exercise. It is more fun with a friend, plus, there is no better place for talking than a walk in the park.
• Clean house together. This is another must do and two makes cleaning fun instead of boring.
• Send pictures. A picture is still worth a thousand words.
• Go to lunch at least once a month. More often would be better.
Follow the advice of Victoria Rayner, author of The Survival Guide for Today's Career Woman:
• Be a good listener; refrain from offering advice or moralizing.
• Respect your friend's point of view. Different personalities can complement each other; it isn't always necessary to see eye to eye.
• Never betray a trust. Trust, when violated, can ruin even the best friendship.
• Support and praise your friends; ignore their failures and imperfections.
• Never resent a friend's success. Instead, strive to admire her achievements.
Flexibility is always important for maintaining friendships. Be understanding when your friend has a last minute change in plans. Learn to accept "I'm sorry to cancel, but we will have another time together Sunday."
When paths begin to separate (you are married; he isn't or you have a baby; she is still childless) at forks in the road of life, that is the most important time of all to stay in touch with friends.
When there is conflict, it must be resolved for friendship to continue. Confrontation is one way to resolve conflict. Talking it out is another.
A cooling-off period is sometimes necessary when conflict has occurred.
Once you reinitiate conflict, it may not even be necessary to discuss the conflict.
Best friends require one-on-one contact to survive. Telephone calls and getting together are musts for best friends to continue.
In fact, probably the quickest way to end a friendship is to neglect it and sever contact.
Yet it is hard to make time in a busy day and busy life to maintain our friends. But you don't have to have hours to spare to maintain a friendship.
Instead try the following to keep from neglecting your friends:
• Send frequent email. Email is a boon for a quick note.
• Call once a week. Telephone calls do not take long.
• Keep in touch through brief messages left on answering machines.
• Send an occasional card. Funny and/or appropriate cards take minutes to choose and address.
• Exercise together. We all have to exercise. It is more fun with a friend, plus, there is no better place for talking than a walk in the park.
• Clean house together. This is another must do and two makes cleaning fun instead of boring.
• Send pictures. A picture is still worth a thousand words.
• Go to lunch at least once a month. More often would be better.
Follow the advice of Victoria Rayner, author of The Survival Guide for Today's Career Woman:
• Be a good listener; refrain from offering advice or moralizing.
• Respect your friend's point of view. Different personalities can complement each other; it isn't always necessary to see eye to eye.
• Never betray a trust. Trust, when violated, can ruin even the best friendship.
• Support and praise your friends; ignore their failures and imperfections.
• Never resent a friend's success. Instead, strive to admire her achievements.
Flexibility is always important for maintaining friendships. Be understanding when your friend has a last minute change in plans. Learn to accept "I'm sorry to cancel, but we will have another time together Sunday."
When paths begin to separate (you are married; he isn't or you have a baby; she is still childless) at forks in the road of life, that is the most important time of all to stay in touch with friends.
When there is conflict, it must be resolved for friendship to continue. Confrontation is one way to resolve conflict. Talking it out is another.
A cooling-off period is sometimes necessary when conflict has occurred.
Once you reinitiate conflict, it may not even be necessary to discuss the conflict.
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