They are not!
Some are great listeners. Others listen just long enough so they can say, “OK, enough about you, lets get back to me.”
Some are high energy. Others suck the life of you.
Some will be there no matter what. Others are suddenly “in a meeting or unable to come to the phone right now” when your life hits the skids.
Some see the possibilities that exist. Others are one step removed from being that crazy nut who stands outside the subway station preaching that the end of the world is imminent.
Some connect on a regular basis just to let you know they were thinking about you. Others fade in and out like the seasons.
Some give great advice. Others should be banned from having any opinion whatsoever.
Some are so extremely high maintenance they should come with an operating manual and a warning label. Others are simply plug and play.
Some share way too much information. Others intentionally leave gaps so you can’t put all the pieces together.
Some love to hug it out when they see you. Some kiss on the cheek, others on the lips. Some perfer a hand shake. And still others greet you with the same trepidation you experienced as a kid when your crazy aunt wanted to squeeze the stuffing out of you.
Some answer your call on the first ring. Others listen to the message before deciding if a return phone call is warranted.
Some return your email in a timely fashion. Others respond a week later to tell you they can’t go to that movie LAST week.
Some will lend you money in a heart beat, no questions asked. Others need a signed affidavid indicating all funds will be paid in full by such and such a date with interest, if applicable.
Some always pick up the tab. Others always seem to be in the washroom when the bill arrives.
Some become the life of the party-just add alcohol. Others are bad drunks, mad drunks or sad drunks.
Some never keep you waiting. Others function on a time zone only they understand.
Some readily forgive your mistakes. Others will hold you hostage with them.
Some know how to make you laugh or bring a smile to your face. Others know exactly what to say or do to wipe it off.
Some will celebrate in your successes. Others will secretly hold them against you. They might even try to undermine you.
Some would never betray your trust and share your secret with anyone else. Others tell you they won’t share your secret, which actually means, “I won’t share it with anyone where it is possible my sharing of your secret will get back to you.”
Some don’t hesitate to point out “the rules.” Others will encourage you to bend the rules. Hell if they are great friends they will insist you break them.
So quit thinking all friends have been created equally. They aren’t, but that is why we love them. Think of them more like shoes for different occassions. You just need to know how to select the right ones for each occassion that arises.
To ideas worth quitting,
Dean
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