Those Who Pretend to Be Your Friend - Psalm 28

What Does the Bible Say About Friendship

Christian Friendships - Commentary on Selecting Quality Friends

Esteeming People Who Aren't True Friends

You may have been in contact with an individual who speaks highly of someone in his or her circle, yet the evidence shows this "star" person really isn't that significant in his or her life like he or she once was.  Yet, the family member or friend continues to boast about how this star person gave them money when they were down and how they were there when a parent died and so on.  It is apparent that the delusional individual hasn't permitted his or herself to be updated on current events regarding one's connection to the so-called best friend, aunt, cousin, etc.

People change.  Jobs will move a person to act differently.  The birth of children will wipe a smile or two off a new parent's face.  Divorce will bring on a troubled mind.  So many negative life events will cause people to put a halt on being kind, sweet, loving, and the type who will have your back when times are rough. 

When one is told the truth about a favorite family member and friend, the person will act defensive.  They will act as if you are the trouble-maker for exposing truth.  They don't want to face the fact that someone who might have been once a best friend is now toxic.  They find it hard to fathom that a "best friend" would act in ways that aren't friendly.  When scandal from long ago rears its ugly head, they don't want to believe that their loved one really didn't like them very much.  The truth is a hard pill to swallow.

The best thing we can do when we see that family members and friends are esteeming people, who are no longer in their corner, is to gently remind them that they now have the power to do whatever it is they desire without the need of hand-holding from XYZ.  We can also point out when the person said or did things that wouldn't constitute a good friendship.  Once the opportunity has passed to speak truth, one must keep a lid on his or her mouth and let the truth marinate on the person's mind, body and spirit.  Hopefully, in time, he or she will wake up and realize that the favorite family member or friend just isn't the same.

Nicholl McGuire

nmenterprise7 - Women Friendships, Exes, and Men - He Lied to You

On Making Time for the New People in Your Life

Meeting new people, but you just don't seem to have the time to spend with them. Well depending on how willing you are to be with them, you will find the time, here's how.

As soon as someone gives you some information about them such as name and contact information, you should always have something readily available to hold their information and any notes about them you would like to follow up on later. From a cellular phone to a wallet that holds business cards, keep their information handy. When you are organized, you will give them the impression that they are now important in your life.

Specifically set aside a date and time during the week to touch base with everyone including anyone you are dating. This phone call should briefly let them know you are thinking about them and that you would like to see him or her again. From business to personal relationships, people love the fact that someone is thinking about them or their idea.

When you plan to meet them, be early so that you can go over anything you would like to ask them before they arrive. Of course, this also makes a great impression on him or her.

If you enjoyed speaking with this person, wrap the meeting up with another date and time to meet again. Each time you meet him or her, you want to keep the relationship or exchange of ideas going, so don't ever close a meeting without another date, time, and location to meet again.

You will also want to send a business contact a thank you card after the first meeting, so that you remain fresh in their mind. Flowers and other special treats work well for personal relationships.

Nowadays email is very powerful in keeping relationships going, so send an email asking them about their day and if they have given any thought to something you may have mentioned at the last meeting.

In closing, the following are a couple of things you might want to keep in mind:

* Don't overdo communication when you don't know the person that well. You can always ask them how often would they like to communicate. Depending on their business interest or relationship, you may need to communicate more. That will need to be discussed so that you don't turn him or her off.

* When a person chooses not to return your phone calls or emails, he or she is letting you know in a polite way that you aren't that important in his or her life. Move on to someone else who will make time for you.

By Nicholl McGuire