Make a Friend

As I grow older, I find that sometimes it is hard to "make a friend", as my dad used to always tell me to do growing up. Yes, you can "friend" someone on facebook or say hello to someone and smile, but to truly "make a friend" gets harder.


It used to be as simple as passing a note to a friend in class and writing, "Want to sit with me at lunch today?" or studying with someone for a test and getting to know each other.


But I've realized in the real world, people have their guard up, people judge, people are busy, and people are focused on other things at times and this prevents a bond of friendship.


I always smile, even when I am not in the best mood because I like people to feel comfortable around me, to feel welcome in my presence. At times it seems that no one notices, but at other times, it seems that the whole world notices.


When I go to the gym, I am really focused. I do my thing and normally leave and don't think people notice me. I smile and talk with the trainers, but no one else. I have wanted to know people at the gym, but it just hasn't happened.


This week, that all changed though. I was working out and a guy commented on my form and how good I was at working out. He gave me some tips on what I could do better and he told me that he always sees how hard I work in the gym and has always wanted to talk to me, but was too afraid to. This shocked me so much. That same day I asked a girl in the locker room if it was snowing out and we ended up talking for a while and soon other women in the locker room joined in the conversation and we ended the convo saying see you tomorrow. I was shocked...did I just make two more friends?


The other day I went into the bank and all the people in the bank were like, "Hey, Hey Nicole, what is new? How is singing?"...Had these tellers become my friends? I then went to fruity yogurt and the girl there said, "Nicole! I haven't seen you in forever. I was in Thailand but I am back now. "How is working with the kids? I can't wait to see more of your pictures on facebook. I love seeing your silly clown ones!" Here, I had another friend.


I was nannying the other night and the other nanny was coming over to nanny after me and I took some time to talk to her. We ended up chatting for a while and she said, "I have to give you a hug" as I was leaving. I was in shock, yet again.


Maybe everyone in the world is truly looking to connect with more people and "make a friend" but they are scared to take that step, to say a few words, to send out a compliment, or to merely smile. I know I will always want to make friends and I hope that our technology filled world does not stop the existence of social face to face interaction because I think it is imperative to the happiness of this world.
So if you want to be my friend, my door is always open and I hope that yours is too...