Recess. An age old tradition treasured by all the pre-adolescent youth of our nation. It's the one time of day that the kids can stretch their legs and get some sun. Of course, you can't forget the teachers who can finally gather a piece of mind for the moment until the the little "terrors" return to the lair. More on that when we grow up. In the meantime, the sugar crazed kids are spending all of their energy before nap time, kicking, screaming, running, pounding, scratching, trading, giggling, talking, and every other way of transmitting the common cold imaginable. Most importantly they are doing this together.
Making friends starts from the day you are hiked out of the womb into the doctor's hands. Most likely he is your first friend. He already saved your life by not dropping you. Hey you're breathing and screaming and on your way to friend number two and so forth as your dear mother cradles you and supplies you with some nourishment. As people we want to belong. We want to be wanted for who we are, what we think, and what we have to say. People strive so much for acceptance that they forgo the acceptance of rejection. We're so worried about being rejected by our peers that we'll jump on the first train of acceptance. This instills fear in many parents as it could possibly lead to tattoos and raising a family in a trailer park all before you turn 14.
Getting back on track now, making friends is a crucial aspect to our social progression as human beings. You show me one person who is completely happy and has no friends and I'll present you with an inner person screaming for attention and affection. Everyone has friends. Even patients in a mental facility have friends. Albeit it may be their alter ego, but you get the point. True friends make us feel good about ourselves. We are elated to know that there are other human beings out there who hang around us that we don't feel like feel obligated, such as siblings or a long line of family.
So, I'm sure many people wonder how this comes to be a mistake. With the gaining of friends and allies you are letting down your walls. You are sharing secrets, memories, and clothes. You are letting someone actually "get" you. I bet you feel privileged calling someone a best friend. You probably think some people don't have best friends and that must make you better. When in fact you are utterly and indubitably false in your thinking. You just revealed all of your Achilles's heals when sealed it with some sort of snazzy best friend hand shake.
Many people don't get close to others for fear of being vulnerable. For fear of getting hurt or dying of a broken heart. Well newsflash. There has officially never been a recorded death from a metaphorically broken heart. So get out of bed, throw on some pants, or don't, and make some friends. Yeah hard times suck something awful. Hell you might even get an irritated nose from all of the sniffles and crying. But, letting someone in and maintaining some ability to trust another person is a privilege. You're giving them the privilege of being a friend. A privilege they are solely responsible for. They betray you and throw it away. So what, there's plenty of others out there who are just as quirky and unique as you.
It's a huge mistake to make a friend. It could ruin your whole life for a whole week to a few months. I say make that mistake. You don't deserve happiness or acceptance until you can acknowledge that you are capable of sadness or rejection. It's okay to have the blues or be down in the dumps. I promise the sun will still rise.
Final formula: Speak words to random person + Respond to their shpeel + Become close + Stay Happy + Argue, Make up + Stay in touch + Live life = Go to heaven.
Simple right? Yes I ramble, but this is a topic many find trouble in their daily lives. So if you're so troubled go ahead don't make a mistake. I bet all of those friends you never met are making fun of you for not talking to them. Well at least that's what we think others are thinking of us. Being lonely can't be too bad right? I'm sure those nine cats and four hamsters as pets sounds like a great idea. You guys will be sharing food like true friends in no time.
Now you know my brain. [Insert meaningful life/friends quote here].
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