26th May 2011

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“You know, it’s your own damn fault you’re single. How many times have I found you the perfect match and when things start to heat up, you get lost? Then, you show up months later pissing & moaning that you’re single; I find you another match and you’re not happy because nothing is as “vibrant” as it used to be! Next time I put you in the dryer, stay with your sock mate!”

27th April 2011

Post with 2 notes

Love

“Only once in your life, I truly believe, you find someone who can completely turn your world around. You tell them things that you’ve never shared with another soul and they absorb everything you say and actually want to hear more. You share hopes for the future, dreams that will never come true, goals that were never achieved and the many disappointments life has thrown at you. When something wonderful happens, you can’t wait to tell them about it, knowing they will share in your excitement. They are not embarrassed to cry with you when you are hurting or laugh with you when you make a fool of yourself. Never do they hurt your feelings or make you feel like you are not good enough, but rather they build you up and show you the things about yourself that make you special and even beautiful. There is never any pressure, jealousy or competition but only a quiet calmness when they are around. You can be yourself and not worry about what they will think of you because they love you for who you are. The things that seem insignificant to most people such as a note, song or walk become invaluable treasures kept safe in your heart to cherish forever. Memories of your childhood come back and are so clear and vivid it’s like being young again. Colours seem brighter and more brilliant. Laughter seems part of daily life where before it was infrequent or didn’t exist at all. A phone call or two during the day helps to get you through a long day’s work and always brings a smile to your face. In their presence, there’s no need for continuous conversation, but you find you’re quite content in just having them nearby. Things that never interested you before become fascinating because you know they are important to this person who is so special to you. You think of this person on every occasion and in everything you do. Simple things bring them to mind like a pale blue sky, gentle wind or even a storm cloud on the horizon. You open your heart knowing that there’s a chance it may be broken one day and in opening your heart, you experience a love and joy that you never dreamed possible. You find that being vulnerable is the only way to allow your heart to feel true pleasure that’s so real it scares you. You find strength in knowing you have a true friend and possibly a soul mate who will remain loyal to the end. Life seems completely different, exciting and worthwhile. Your only hope and security is in knowing that they are a part of your life.”
— Bob Marley

21st April 2011

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Friends

It’s always struck me as a little odd that people compare their closest friends to family. “We’re as close as sisters,” “you’re like family to me,” “my brother from another mother,” etc.

The truth is, family is inescapable, whether you like it or not. You’re related by blood, there’s nothing that can really change that. Even if you have an abusive father, an absent mother, or siblings you don’t get along with, they will always be your family. Legally, you may be an adult, or an emancipated minor, but those blood ties are still there, for better or worse. Friendships, though. They change all the time. If you’re stuck in a bad friendship, you can get out. If a friendship’s going down the tubes, for whatever reason, you can fix it.

Family shouldn’t get a bad rap here. I’m lucky enough to have an incredible family (both nuclear and extended) who love me, who are supportive. But a lot of people are not that lucky, to have a mother, or a father, or a family to rely on for help at all. But then, that’s the job of the best friends, isn’t it? People talk about loving their family no matter what they do or say, just because they’re family, but shouldn’t that go for friends as well? More so, I think. I’m close to my dad, for example, not because we’re family, but because we’re friends. Whether we were related or not, I’d think he was a great guy, who I enjoy hanging out with.

Maybe the simple truth that you can pick your friends (but not your friend’s nose) makes them closer than family. You find, often through trial and error, the people who are closest to you, the people who complement you, the people who you “click” with. Sometimes it takes years to find people like that, but when you do, you wonder how you got on without them.

The truth is, the concept of “family,” outside of the literal blood relative sense, is really all the attributes of a great circle of friends. Telling a friend that they’re family, that would mean a lot to most people. But I think friends are as good as it gets, and we should be more aware of that. If we’re lucky enough, we’ll all have our own circle of friends to rely on. And if we’re even luckier, our families will be a part of that circle, too.