Friends and Beyond

When Are Your Friends, Friends Or Just Acquaintances

Have you ever wondered if your friends are really your friends.  Or have they turned into just another acquaintance.  Most people think that what starts out as friendship stays that way but that is not necessarily true.  As time goes on you can always count on friends to be there when you need them and keep an open line of communication.  There is true appreciation when you help them out or just be there when they need you.

But what do you call them when your need arises time and time again and they are never available or always have their own drama going on.  When you want to get together they are always too busy.  They ask for your help and you go running but when the tables are turned there is always something going on that prevents them from being there for you.  Is this what a friend is?  Or have they moved into acquaintance mode and are friends only when they need you.  If this is happening to you then maybe it is time to move on and find people who truly wish to share friendship.  Maybe it is time to re-evaluate who your friends are and are not.  See how many times you get put on the back burner and where your friends really are when you need a helping hand.  You will probably find that these people are no longer you friend but are not just an acquaintance

How Do You Know If Your First Date Went Well

Nowadays it is almost unusual to meet someone in person with all the online dating going on.  Hopefully during your communication, you have developed some kind of friendship enough to eventually meet face to face.  This can be nerve racking and the question will alsways pop up about how the first date will go or after the dat, how did it go. There are a few signs to watch for as you step into this new found arena.

First indicator is whether you are actually excited to go out with this person.  If you do not have any of this excitement or notice the other person does not seem to have it then more than likely this date may not turn out well.  Once past this point it is important if the gentleman has spent some time planning the date and not flying by the seat of his pants.  Spontenuity is great but not on the first date.  That is something that comes down the road when your dates turn into a relationship.  If during your date either of you maintain a certain amount of eye contact and is free to laugh when something is humerous, that is a sign that your date is going well and there should be signs of a repeat occassion. 

The most important thing to remember is that the first date is not the end of the world and the possible relationship is to be rushed.  Take some time to get to know each other before jumping into an immediate gluing to the hips exclusivity.  Too many times a couple breakups because they did not take the time to allow for a peaceful parting of the ways in the beginning when incompatibilty can and does rear it's head. 

Do You Appreciate The People In Your Life?

Appreciation is something that is often taken for granted. We alot of times assume that the people around us know that we appreciate them.  Often times they do not because we do not take the time to tell them.  Or somehow show them that they are appreciated for tht matter.   And yet we often times get our feathers uffled when someone does not show us appreciation for things we do or say. 

Family is probably the most taken for granted because the are either very close or very far apart. There is an assumption implied unless you learne as a young child to always say Thank you.  Now a days it is becoming more common in children to not get taught this valuable lesson because of split families or both parents working to maintain the household.  The children are being raised by babysitters and child care centers that don't have the time or the personal touch to teach such virtues. 

One way to make yourself and your day just a little happier is to find someone or something someone does to appreciate and tell them that you do in fact appreciate them or the thing they did. It is inevitable that your gesture will make their day just a little brighter too.