Why Loyalty Is Important in a Good Friendship

By Don George 

What make a good friendship? I have been asked this many times and after much contemplation my answer is "loyalty'. I have decided to craft an article around the word that I feel is very important to any friendship and of course that word is "loyalty".

A friend's loyalty is a wonderful virtue. When loyalty is missing other values will certainly suffer in any friendship. This is a quality that you should look for in a friend, as friendships can be very complicated at times, but loyalty between friends will hold the friendship together. When I am asked how deep does my loyalty go for my friends I always respond with this quote from an unknown author 'if all my friends were to jump off a bridge, I wouldn't follow, I'd be at the bottom to catch them when they fall". You see I am loyal and darn proud of it. Remember a good friend is someone who walks into your world when the rest of your world is walking out.

Wasn't it Huber Humphrey who said "good friends are hard to find, harder to leave, and impossible to forget." If he did not say it then I will take credit for it because that is what I feel about loyalty and friendship. Do you have a friend with whom you dare to really be yourself? Do you trust her with thoughts that just about make you naked? Do you both say what you think (as long as it is genuine) and not feel on guard? Just knowing you are with someone who understands loyalty in your friendship, what a wonderful feeling that is. With this friend you can weep with her, laugh with her, pray with her and never feel bad about exposing who you actually are. Remember loyalty is built up over time; very few people give themselves the time to be true friends.

My mother always told me that a best friend is just like a four leaf clover, very difficult to find and very lucky to have.

Loyalty as it relates to friendship is hard for me to explain and I know that you do not learn what it is in school but I would offer that if you have not learned the meaning of loyalty and friendship then you really have not learned anything.

Aren't your good friends like the stars in the sky? You do not always see them but you know for sure that they are there.

I leave you with a poem that I know and do not know who wrote it "I asked God for water, he gave me an ocean. I asked God for a flower, he gave me a garden. I asked God for a tree, he gave me a forest. I asked God for a friend and he gave me you." Be loyal to your friends, and as always you must live well to be well.

I think. I read. I care. I inform. I coach.
Do you like reading about friends? Do you have a best friend- I hope you do -treat that friend well.
Get back to me, talk to me!
To your friend
don george
wellnesscoach2@comcast.net
1(603) 686-7186

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Don_George/552192

What's the Difference Between Your Wife and Your Best Friend?

By Jacob Elichmann  

I want you to think back to when you were just a wee lad... Who is your best friend in elementary school? Who is your best friend in middle school? What about high school? College?

Well, the way you've been communicating with your best friends your whole life is the same way you should communicate with your wife right now. Many men do not understand this or do not practice this piece of advice, and I personally feel that this is part of the reason why divorce rates are so high right now.

Of course, it's easier said than done, so as you continue reading this article I'm going to show you what you need to do to repair your relationship with your wife and take your marriage communication to the next level.

Sound good?

Is Your Wife Your Best Friend?

If you're like most of us, then you've probably had two or three "best friends" throughout the years. Even if you didn't know it at the time, your relationships with those people all had one thing in common...

You can feel safe telling ANYTHING to your best friend

Stories, experiences, negative feelings, happy feelings, criticisms, hard times, good times... You can share everything with your best friend!

So, how does that differ from how most men handle relationships with their wives?

Most Men Don't Like Sharing Negative Feelings

If you're anything like most husbands, you probably don't have a problem sharing all of the good times with your wife. I'm sure the you love telling her a good story and sharing good experiences with her.

After all, that's what marriage is all about, right?

Well, it actually goes deeper than that... A big part of a healthy marriage is having a trusting relationship where you're free to discuss both positive and negative feelings with one another. Just like your relationship with your best friend, your relationship with your wife should have no boundaries when it comes to topics of conversation.

In other words, if you feel there is a problem within the relationship, address it in the same way you would with your best friend.

Explain your problems politely, empathetically, and generally, and focus on finding a solution rather than placing blame.

What Happens When You Allow Marriage Problems to Fester?

I mean, do I really need to answer this question?

Here's a fun fact for you: Approximately 55% of people admit that they don't tell their partners about problems they see in the marriage, and the US divorce rate is 46%.

Which couples do YOU think are getting divorced: The ones that openly address their problems for the ones that let them boil under the surface?

The Importance of Friendship in Marriage

The fact of the matter is that no marriage has ever been all fireworks, all the time. 1 year, 2 years, 3 years, 10 years, 25 years go by, and things won't ALWAYS be exciting, or necessarily even enjoyable.

There will be problems; there will be down time; there will be sacrifice. That's not to say that you can't have an exciting and passionate marriage your ENTIRE life, but it IS to say that it will take work.

I hope that you've learned something about friendship with your wife. I know that things are probably still kind of confusing for you right now, but don't worry, that just means you're normal. For more open and helpful guidance, check out this free report:

Are You a Good Husband?

Of course, there are no obligations and the report is free. I'm just trying to help a brotha' out!

For more free husband-help articles written by yours truly, you can visit my website - http://HusbandHelpHaven.com

Thanks for reading!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Jacob_Elichmann/1272876

Things to Remember Before Meeting Your Girlfriend's Friends - Get the Friends' Approval

By Mark J Hamilton  

All guys act nonchalant and all cool about it when their girlfriends finally decide to introduce him to her friends. The brutal truth is, guys are nervous and riled as heck. It's one of the most stressful times of guys with girlfriends (but of course, nothing beats meeting the parents!).

- Smile and be friendly. Introduce yourself.. I know you're jumpy to death but stay still enough to extend a hand when introducing yourself. Yes, it's not corny to do that. Don't wait for your girlfriend to do the introductions. Be confident and calm. Your girlfriend will be impressed. And so will her friends!

- Remember their names. Don't ever mix them up. It's offending, really, and it's major turn-off to her friends. In trying to remember names, repeat a name in your head three to five times while smiling at the person. It works.

- Join the action. Be involved in their conversation. I know it's awkward, that's natural but when you're girlfriend sees you trying to be a part of her inner circle, it's going to make her totally trust in your efforts on being the best boyfriend. Don't hoard the entire conversation though. Charming them with a few clean jokes is good, but rambling on about them the entire night is is a crusher.

- Watch and learn. Listen to their topics. You can keep track of their activities, like for example, one of her friends is into photography and your best friend is also an avid fan. Also this is a great chance of getting to know them, and adjusting yourself to accommodate their likes and interests.

Now comes the tricky part. We know you want to impress them but watch yourself if you're trying real hard --- it may lead to flirting! And you know it's one great way to ruin a relationship. So, take a deep breath, look your best and make it look like meeting your girlfriend's friends is as natural as breathing.

If you are truly serious about mastering the art of attraction and being able to date and seduce ANY girl you want, visit this free website now and get a free report: MasterOnlineDater.com. Go now and check it out!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Mark_J_Hamilton/131223