Friends and Lifelong Friends

What is my definition of a "friend"?
- Someone who has a similar sense of humor
- Someone with whom I can have an interesting & engaging bi-directional conversation
- Someone who has similar perspective on life as me (including ethics and values)
- Someone who makes me feel overall happy when I'm around them

Note: Some friendships tend to be stronger than others. I think that happens depending on how well your friend satisfies your definition of a friend & how well you satisfy their definition of a friend.

What is my definition of a "true friend" or "lifelong friend"?
- Someone who is my "friend"
- Someone who is *truly* happy for me when something good happens and *truly* sad for me when something bad happens
- Someone who can allocate time to be my friend
- Someone who I can rely on when I need their help
- Someone who makes me a better person by being their friend
- Someone who I can trust

Note: This criteria sounds like common-sense, but these are the things that make "true friends" stand out from "friends" in the long-run.

Windows of Opportunity

Life is filled with many windows of opportunity. In order to take advantage of those opportunities, you have to make sure you see that they exist and be in a position to access them. If you are caught up in other things, those opportunities might pass right by you. Sometimes, those opportunities will come again at a later date. And other times, you won't have a second chance. Make your decisions carefully and wisely. You only have one life to live.

Life experiences

As I reflect on my past, I realize that there are various experiences in my life that shape who I am today. Sometimes, I didn't even know that I was learning a small lesson through that experience until I reminisced about it. And many times, I was willing to try a new experience thinking I'd get X, Y, & Z out of it, and I ended up by getting X, Y, Z, and many other unexpected life lessons too.

Reminder to self - It is important to keep an open mind on things because you might learn something new when you least expect it. Putting mental barriers up can only retard the growth you gain from life experiences.