Friendship Transformation

                I moved around and changed schools pretty much every year growing up resulting in making new friends and losing touch with the old ones. I learned very early on that to have a sincere friend is a true rarity. When I moved to Pinckneyville in junior high, I met some people that I knew I wanted to keep in my life for good. My wish did come true and I had the same friend group for many years and one girl in particular that was my best friend. It was wonderful to have that one person that I could always count on to eat lunch with and film silly videos together and not be judged.
                 Of course life has changed quite a bit since high school, but I still really value my friendships from then. They taught me so much and really helped shape me into the person that I am today. God has brought me so many different groups of friends so far in my twenties and it has been really rewarding. I am learning more and more just how precious it is to have friends that will stick by your side for the long haul. Life goes by so fast and different people take part along side you depending on the season of life that you are in. I know that things for me have certainly changed just in how I treat people and how I view friendship. This has been a long process of learning that has brought heartache, swallowing pride, and joy all at the same time. When I reflect on all of these times, it just screams GROWTH to me.
                 I want to share a little bit about my journey on becoming the best friend I can be to the friends God has gifted me with now. Maybe you can learn from my mistakes! Ha!

1. Don't let jealousy rule your heart.
    -When someone has something going good for them and you don't it is so easy to get jealous, but soooo dangerous. A new piece of clothing, losing weight, vacations, etc. A very dangerous path!! When you have a friend that is jealous (or in my case, used to be me) people don't even want to tell you things because you will always act jealous. It is just not cool at all.

2. Be happy for people!
    - This one has seriously changed my life!! Recognize that good things happen to you as well! You would want them to be happy for you!

3. Don't turn things around and make them about you!
  - When a friend has great news, is getting married, needs to talk about family or relationship problems, one of the worst things you can do is cut them off in their story and tell them about how your life is worse/relatable or use the expression "If it makes you feel any better, I .....". Trust me, that will NOT make them feel better. Learning this has been revolutionary on being a better listener and then being a better friend just comes naturally out of that. Encourage others to talk about themselves as opposed to the other way around.

4. Try your best to make them feel special.
   -No need to elaborate on this one....duh? Who doesn't like to feel special? I've been trying this tactic out by sending a simple text here and there and making phone calls just to say hello. Also, hand written cards...AHHH! They rule.

5. Serve them with no expectation of return.
   -Because Jesus says to. and it's really exhilarating not to expect the same in return!

6. Support them
   -Go to their concerts, plays, encourage and praise their hobbies, and be there to show you genuinely care.

That is all I have for now, but I will say that the old saying of being the kind of friend you would want was never truer.