Friendship is Kindness in Motion

Day 6: Kindness and Friendship

“The greatest gift of life is friendship, and I have received it.” – Hubert H. Humphrey

Thank God for friends! If you are like me, you have been lucky enough to have had many friendships throughout the years. Friends always show up, support and love unconditionally without judgement. Well, sometimes they judge, but those are the ones that I have not kept. The amazing thing about friends, is that they are tender, loving, supportive, humorous and always there to catch you when you fall. They will always pick up the phone and show up when you need them the most.

1. Kindness to Self:

   Learning to have a friendship with yourself may seem a bit strange, but think of it as loving yourself. Think of how easy it is to compliment a friend; tell them how great, beautiful, talented or funny they are. Now try to tell yourself how amazing, beautiful, talented and magnificent you are. How does it feel? Strange? Uncomfortable? Can we learn to be our own best friend? And if we do, how much richer and fuller could our life be?

2. Kindness to Others:

   Friendships are probably the most natural and rewarding relationships we will ever have. The greatest thing about friends, is that they come in all shades of the rainbow. If you have been as blessed as I have, then you also have deep and varied relationships with friends that elicit laughter, those that listen to you in any mood, the friend that tells you like it is, and the friend you can share your deepest secrets and desires to without the worry of being judged.

3. Kindness to Strangers:

   I don’t expect you to go out and try to make a friend out of a complete stranger. On the other hand, there are endless chances to open yourself up to making a new friend with someone you would never imagine being your friend.  Never discount anyone as a possible friend because you just might surprise yourself.  Think of the gifts they could bring to your life. Be open, kind and friendly. Friendship really is the icing on the cake of life.

4. Kindness to our Planet:

   Maybe if we all thought of the earth as our friend or truly as a manifestation of mother earth, and treated her and honored her like a mother or friend, we could create a much healthier planet.

Jennifer Palazzo

Photo Courtesy of FreeImages.com/Vassilikikoutsothanasi