New friendships – exciting and challenging at the same time

“We don’t meet people by accident. They are meant to cross our path for a reason.” – Unknown

When we go off to college, get a new job or even move to another state, we’re given an opportunity to make new friends.

While the majority of those we encounter along the journey fall into the category of “acquaintance,” if you find yourself saying things like, “gee, I could see myself being around this person on a regular basis” – chances are you’ve found yourself a new friend.

I love this quote by C. JoyBell C.“There are still some wonderful people left in this world! They are diamonds in the rough, but they’re around! You’ll find them when you fall down– they’re the ones who pick you up, who don’t judge, and you had to fall down to see them! When you get up again, remember who your true friends are!”

And while new friendships can be exciting and refreshing, they can also be challenging and even stressful at times.

Forming that special “connection” with someone is not easy.

It’s that connection which provides a level of familiarity and comfort in the relationship; a clear understanding of expectations and wishes; a firm grasp of time commitments and constraints – all without much verbal communication!

New friendships can be an endless sea of questions as well. Am I texting too much? Am I bothering them at home when I send a funny email? Am I encroaching upon their personal time if I suggest we hang out at the last minute? And the list goes on and on and on…

But just like everything else in life, friendships take time.

Time for two unique yet similar personalities to understand each other’s quirks and idiosyncrasies; what they’re passionate about and what makes them angry; how to be compassionate and when to be funny.

And if in fact you’ve stumbled upon someone you’re willing to bestow the title of “true friend,” take comfort in the fact that everything worth anything in life takes a little patience and a lot of effort.

Always remember this: “You meet people who forget you. You forget people you meet. But sometimes you meet those people you can’t forget. Those are your friends.” – Unknown

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