Discussion: Friends, How many of us have them?
Written By Chiara Noble
August 5, 2022
On the first Sunday in August, National Friendship Day encourages people across the country and world to connect with friends. This would be the prime time to make a new friend or reconnect with an old one.
With each new friend, we expand our view of the world. Their experiences contribute to new meaning and information in our lives. Through friendships, we grow and broaden our horizons.
National Friendship Day was originally a marketing strategy for Hallmark Cards in the 1930s. It’s celebrated during different times in the world, but typically in July or August.
I don’t know about you, but I love this idea. Often, we go about our daily life, leaving little to no time for friends, let alone family. I like the thought of being more intentional about staying connected with people. Have you thought about the last time you spoke with or checked on a friend? I’m sure there’s someone who came to mind as you read that line. Maybe someone you have not heard from in a while, that you could reach out and talk to.
Or what about making a new friend? I know, I know. Even I am guilty of being leery of making new friends. You know what I discovered, which could be the secret to that? Baby steps. Friendship is not something that one should dive in headfirst into. I think treating a friendship like you would do a new relationship is a safe route to go. That way it gives you plenty of time to get to know the person and feel out their intentions. So, keeping it simple, like maybe sharing a cup of tea or coffee to engage in conversation, is a nice way to start. Now I’m no relationship expert, but if you are wondering where you may meet someone new, here are a few ideas to get you started:
Doing New Things.
Getting outside your comfort zone and doing something new. I met a few new people by joining the PTA at my kid’s school. We now keep in touch and follow each other on social media!
Joining a Book Club.
I joined a book club, that an acquaintance of mine co-founded. Not only do I share a love of reading like the other ladies in the club, but it is true a sisterhood. It enabled me to get back to reading and spend time with other like-minded individuals!
Meet a New Friend in a Work Environment.
I would not suggest befriending someone that you supervise, but it’s nothing wrong with developing a friendship with a colleague.
At the Gym.
Oh, I know, you want to do your workout and then leave, but you never know where chatting while “spotting” someone could lead to!
Revive an Old Friendship.
If it is new friends you seek, why not try looking at some of your past friendships? Maybe you lost contact with someone because life got busy and your paths just went different ways (not by conflict). How about reaching out to that person to see what they are up to?
Volunteering. Volunteering is a good thing to do all the way around.
I have made many connections through volunteer work. This is a great way to meet someone new; because you know off the bat that you have something in common with the folks you are serving with.
Take a class, go fishing or hiking, join a gym or exercise around the neighborhood. Frequent a new coffee shop or ice cream shop, or join some online groups that have something that you are interested in.
So, on this week where National Friendship day falls, take some time out to celebrate, either with someone you already know or with someone new! Then reach out and tell me all about it!
About the Writer:
Chiara A. Noble: Is a visionary, a woman of many talents who wears many hats. She is an ordained minister, wife, mother, daughter, sister. A published author and the co-host of Victory Talk, a virtual talk show centered around helping people to grow, speak and live a victorious life. She is currently on the road to becoming a certified mental health advocate and life coach. She has faced many trials/tribulations but lives by the saying “storms make trees take deeper roots.”
Contact: https://Vlfministrys.org
Email: chiara.noble@vlfministrys.org
Resources:
Mental Health America | Homepage | Mental Health America (mhanational.org)
Mental Health Month | NAMI: National Alliance on Mental Illness
NIMH » Home (nih.gov)