Hi,
This is Theresa Conte.
Today I'd like to share some thoughts about building friendship and creating healthy relationships.
As social creatures,
It's natural to seek out others with whom we can share friendship and community.
Although we may feel vulnerable doing so,
We can reach out and meet our needs for companionship and connection.
I'd like to begin by sharing a quote by Dr.
Rick Hampson,
Which I find particularly inspiring.
He said,
Will you be my friend is one of the bravest things we can ever say.
How cool is that?
We all long for a sense of love and belonging,
Whether we live in the town we grew up in or have relocated and are living as expats in a foreign country.
Inviting someone for coffee or doing something fun requires confidence,
Courage,
And vulnerability.
And we can do it.
When our request for friendship is met,
We open the doors for greater joy and fulfillment.
And when and if our request for friendship is denied,
It may not feel very good.
But we can take pride in having tried and move on to asking someone new.
As one of my beloved teachers has said,
Feel the fear and do it anyway.
I learned a valuable lesson when I was in my mid-20s.
A friend and I had gone out to listen to music and dance,
Something we both loved doing.
I was shocked when she got up and asked someone to dance,
As it wasn't customary at the time for a woman to take the initiative.
She danced the night away while I sat at the table watching.
Not much fun.
The next time we went out,
I intended to dance and considered my friend a role model.
I mustered my courage and decided to ask someone to dance.
The first person I asked turned me down.
I realized in a split second that if I retreated and went back to my table,
I wouldn't take another chance.
So without skipping a beat,
I looked around and asked the next man I saw and had a wonderful night.
And just today,
Years later,
I woke up feeling a little down and thought of reaching out to a friend for support.
I started to text her.
Then you know what?
I put the phone down because I didn't want to appear weak.
Can you relate?
My ego was getting in the way.
I took a step back and realized I was feeling vulnerable and that that was driving my behavior.
I decided to risk the dreaded experience and contacted her.
She responded to my text message within seconds and invited me to call her.
We chatted for a few minutes.
I had a good cry.
Then we arranged to meet for coffee.
We had a wonderful exchange as she had been feeling similarly and I was able to support her as well.
We can't control the outcomes of our actions,
But we can initiate them.
If there's someone you'd like to meet or feel a need for support or would like to dance,
They might like meeting you as well.
Feeling shy?
Try using the following affirmations while letting the positive feelings that arise soak down into your body.
It's okay for me to enjoy myself regardless of what others are doing.
I am worthy of love and asking for and receiving support.
I now comfortably ask others to join me for fun and pleasing activities.
I love people and people love me.
I am safe.
I am filled with peace and harmony.
If you found today's track helpful,
Please leave a review and let me know what most stood out for you.
Wishing you a most wonderful day.
