A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother. Proverbs 18:24

What is friendship to you?

I think my first friendship was created from a traumatic experience. It was my first day of kindergarten and I cried so hard that my mom let me stay in the Head Start room in which she was volunteering for that first day. The second day I pulled the same stunt and she basically threatened me with a spanking. So facing kindergarten or a sure butt whooping, I opted for the nonviolent alternative.

I walked so tentatively into that room. Face red from crying and this girl (I still remember her name) asked me if I wanted to color. We were friends all through grade school.

Now wasn't that easy?

I think I was raised to be too nice, too kind, too considerate. When I got older, I was shocked at the reality that most people are just not nice, kind or considerate. It took a long time for me to just accept people for exactly who they are and not expect some kind of miraculous personality transformation that would render them more like me. Vain much?

I moved to Dallas a few years ago, away from my family, church and friends – and basically had to start the whole friend making process all over again.

It has definitely been hit ot miss. Remember this story? Then there was the guy who pretended friendship but became an octopus when we were alone. What's an octopus you ask? A creature with too many hands. You will get it eventually.

Anyway, I have decided not to let the actions of others make me jaded to befriending new people but I must admit it is a struggle.

I try to do what the bible verse in my intro states – show myself friendly. I think that being friendly is often misread ESPECIALLY by guys. So fine tuning friendliness is becoming an art form.

What does it take to be my friend? Be an honest, kind, considerate person. That is not too much to ask? Is it?