Feb 10: Make New Friends

So we have been keeping a little secret from my dad about getting an English bulldog.  He's wanted one for forever, but they are usually very expensive, so... yeah.  Then a friend of my sisters was giving one away so we picked him up, put a bow on him, and surprised my dad with him tonight.  I have to admit, when I first saw him I was a little apprehensive.  You know that saying that something is "so ugly it's cute?"  Well, the cute part took awhile to kick in for me.  I was asking all these questions "Is he supposed to look like that?"  "Can he breathe?"  "Are his legs okay?" and just keeping my distance.  He slobbers, he breathes like Darth Vader, and he is very gassy.  Needless to say, I was happy for my Dad, but just didn't get it.  Then tonight as I went to the office to work on my blog (everyone else in the house asleep), I walked into the living room and he was just laying on the tile floor like a beached whale in the dim light.  "Um... are you ok?" I asked.  He jumped up excitedly (okay, jerked his head, rolled over, and struggled to his feet), and followed me into the office where he has been lovingly by my side, passing gas, ever since.
And so my theme for today became "make new friends."  This is something I've always been nervous about.  I'm usually not the kind of person who will introduce myself and get to know someone, I am generally more of an observer.  But occasionally I will step outside my comfort zone, and usually I am glad I did.  I end up making a lifelong friend out of someone I could have just passed right by.  Here are some tips to making new friends that I found online:  1.) Be Yourself- eventually people will get to know the real you.  The more real you are at the beginning, the better.  2.) Spend More Time Around People- we all need our alone time, but it's important to dial down the agoraphobia and have a healthy social life as well.  3.)Join an Organization With People Who Have Common Interests- hello, YSA's!  But also book clubs, sports groups, or hobby groups are good.  4.) Volunteer- serving people is the quickest way to love them.  5.) Talk to People- instead of passing by the neighbor every evening when you walk (yes, you, lady watching your dog urinate at 8pm) say hello or Hi, how are you?  Some conversations may be dead ends, but you may make a friend for life.  6.) Make Eye Contact and Smile- body language says a lot, so if you are frowning with eyes squinted and arms crossed, people will think you are unfriendly and unapproachable.  7.) Start Up a Conversation- Don't underestimate the power of small talk, especially if it's original and sincere.  8.) Introduce Yourself at the End of the Conversation and Remember Names- this one is especially hard for me, I usually need to make up a little rhyme, hey, whatever works.  9.) Initiate a Get Together- this can be awkward... you don't want the person to think you're psycho... but be casual and try to find something you have in common.  10.) Don't Pressure- don't freak them out and don't come on too strong.   HoLy LoNg PoSt!  Okay, wrapping things up for tonight.  I am going to a Single Awareness (otherwise known as Valentines) Day dance tomorrow night.  So I will try these techniques and report back tomorrow.  Hopefully with good news:)

"Each friend represents a world in us, a world possibly not born until they arrive, and it is only by this meeting that a new world is born."
- Anais Nin