I love my conversations about life while showing buyers houses. In between the "business" of finding a home you get to talk about how things are going. One of my favorite topics is encouragement and friends. How do you know if a man (or woman) needs encouragement? If they are breathing. I have found even within blogging my GREATEST inspiration comes from ALL the friends I have met along the way. Ones I agree with. Ones I disagree with. They all are important to me. They stoke the flames of encouragement in me and I in turn get to return the encouragement to others through writing and speaking.
I am a big believer in the power of words and how with writing or speaking we need to be careful how we choose them. They can uplift or they can hurt severely. Why people would want to hurt others with words I am not sure. I think they have pain inside and it has to be released with negative words. There is unresolved healing that needs to be done.
The thought that the pen is mightier than the sword is so true in that intellect and heart can trounce might with a single thought.
I have discovered the loving warmth of friends in my life and have listed some of my favorite quotes about friends:
In everyone's life, at some time, our inner fire goes out. It is then burst into flame by an encounter with another human being. We should all be thankful for those people who rekindle the inner spirit.
Remember, we all stumble, every one of us. That's why it's a comfort to go hand in hand.
Shared joy is a double joy; shared sorrow is half a sorrow.
Your friend is that man who knows all about you, and still likes you.
Only your real friends will tell you when your face is dirty.
Some people come into our lives and quickly go. Some stay for a while, leave footprints on our hearts, and we are never, ever the same.
The best kind of friend is the one you could sit on a porch with, never saying a word, and walk away feeling like that was the best conversation you've had.
Friends are family you choose for yourself.
A true friend is one who thinks you are a good egg even if you are half-cracked.
Some people go to priests; others to poetry; I to my friends.
A friend knows the song in my heart and sings it to me when my memory fails.
True friendship comes when silence between two people is comfortable.
You can always tell a real friend; when you've made a fool of yourself he doesn't feel you've done a permanent job.
Friends are those rare people who ask how you are and then wait for the answer.
A friend is the one who comes in when the whole world has gone out.
When we honestly ask ourselves which person in our lives mean the most to us, we often find that it is those who, instead of giving advice, solutions, or cures, have chosen rather to share our pain and touch our wounds with a warm and tender hand. The friend who can be silent with us in a moment of despair or confusion, who can stay with us in an hour of grief and bereavement, who can tolerate not knowing, not curing, not healing and face with us the reality of our powerlessness, that is a friend who cares.
Lots of people want to ride with you in the limo, but what you want is someone who will take the bus with you when the limo breaks down.
Oh, the comfort, the inexpressible comfort of feeling safe with a person, having neither to weigh thoughts nor measure words, but pouring them all out, just as they are, chaff and grain together, certain that a faithful hand will take and sift them, keep what is worth keeping, and with a breath of kindness blow the rest away.
Let us be grateful to people who make us happy, they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom.
good post..you sure have a way with words..I agree with your thoughts..
If people were allowed to choose their relatives, like they choose their friends we would count ourselves lucky, If by choice we would have chosen those that we are already related too we are doubly lucky. Thanks for the nice thoughts Gary, inspiring as always. Steve
Gary,
This is a very uplifting post and filled with gentle wisdom. I love your list of quotes....many of them are amongst my favourites.
Jo
Gary, Thanks for sharing some great quotes. I tried to print the post.I got 5 pages and for some reason page 4 was not clear.
Looks like you are blessed with wonderful friends.
Michael: Thank you. Many of seen a lot of these quotations but I like them all.
Steve: It's a double blessing if you get along with most of your relatives like you said with your chosen friends.
Jo: We have something in common : )
Gita: Maybe do a cut and paste of the post to Word and that will solve getting it for you. I am lucky to have wonderful friends. I think the trick is to start by you being a friend.
A wise and compassionate "ode" to Friendship. It comes in many forms but the essence remains the same.
Andrew: You are right, there are ranges of friendship from casual to true friend to soul mate. It is a great feeling to make that "connection" with someone.
Hi Gary,
Like always, beautifully done. And you some how manage to find the most interesting illustrations!
Hi Gary,
You have created a compelling post!
Words can build up or tear down. Everyone needs to be built up. Most of us experience tearing down so we need exra times to be built up!
Lynda: This graphic caught my attention and seemed to match the theme of encouragement and friendship well.
Dan: Words that uplift are very powerful.
I often get impressions or visions, whatever, about people, for example, my sister is a tornado because she is always in activity. My mother is a fountain because she overflows with love and wisdom. I once had a friend who was a boulder but that's another story... I see you as a leveler. Equilibrium. Try that on.
Alyce: That is an interesting visual impression. I am a Libra so maybe I balance things out. You know, the scales. Tornadoes and fountains are also very interesting ones. I wouldn't want to be a tornado all the time or the house would be a wreck ; ) Thanks for your impression. I love seeing through others' eyes.
Gary - This is outstanding. I've recommended it for a feature. I love the graphic and the quotes. Nice job!
Tom: I thought the picture might grab some's attention. Thanks for the recommendation.
The graphic is amazing! True friendship is such a miracle it deserves all the great descriptions you have listed.
Rosario: I agree that friendship is nothing short of a miracle in our lives.
Hi, Gary:
Thanks for sharing those great quotes. Hope you had a wonderful weekend!
A beautiful testament to friendship and how much a friendship, no matter how fleeting, can impact your life.
Gary, That is an awesome picture. It made me stop and read the blog. Friendship is a wonderful thing.
Jan: The quotes were my favorites on friendship. Hope your weekend was good too.
JoEllen: Friendship, especially a good one, definitely impacts our life.
Jimmy: Thanks for stopping by and reading and commenting. Friendship is amazing.
Gary,
You don't fit the type A real estate agent. Take the two girls from Texas they are more the gun slinging type. Shoot first and ask question later(P.S. they are a lot of fun). I think we all need to watch what comes out of our mouth. Words can kill or lift up. Good job and you seem like a pretty cool guy.
Steve
Steve: I'm not sure which two gun slinging shoot first ask questions later lady Texans you are referring to, but we all have our own styles for sure. Hey, I AM a pretty cool guy. Ask my dog : ) My point is words are indeed powerful.
Friends are precious indeed. Having relocated to California from snowy cold Boston (go Celts) many years ago, there are not many people out here that know a lot of parts of me. Which is fine.
But as I have told my kids many times, friends may come and go, but your family is forever. (Of course, what I don't add is whether you like it or not!!)
Thank YOU for being a friend, Gary.
Carol: There are some life long friends but it is harder to stay in touch with them when they may live far away I agree. Email has helped. You meet new people all the time and the ones that are in the same town at least you can get together more often face to face. And with family, you are right, they are forever, like em or not. A key I have found is to have a friend it takes being a friend. Thank you for your friendship as well Carol.
Very nice blog. That pic is great!! - Kevin
Kevin: Thanks. I thought it "grabbed" the attention of the reader.
Gary, this was such a warm and touching blog. I really appreciate you sharing these quotes and your wisdom.
Gary, awesome post and love the photo. Great points, friends are forever!
I appreciate your creative and provocative writing approach. We need more of it on AR to keep from boring ourselves with each other. - Kevin
Becky: These quotes are some of my favorites for sure.
Duane: Friends forever is the ideal way I agree...
Kevin: I see a lot of market reports which I think are necessary for the local interest, but nationally it is not always so relevant.
Couldn't come at better time for me. I really enjoyed this post Gary... Lots of wisdom and kindness. Thank you for all.
Arina: You are one of my gardeners and "charming" I might add. Thank you as always for your bright light.
The photo is perfect for the blog. Because its through words and actions that encouragement is displayed. For most people, this is very hard. Your blog was very encouraging. Thank you. Lu
Lu: I see that too, that for many people it is hard. I think they lose their spirit in the world sometimes, get downtrodden, and like one of those quotes said, someone has to come along and rekindle their flame. If you have that ability, spread that magical touch.
A friend knows the song in my heart and sings it to me when my memory fails.
Gary, this is my favorite. Wonderful writing. I also love the picture.
Gary - I guessed you were a Libra (I'm a Taurus) - I think these signs have a different take on selling real estate in general. You mentioned you talk to your buyers while in the car about life issues, etc. I don't think most realtors do that - I think I'm going to blog on this - the different astrological signs and selling styles, hmmmm. Thanks for making me an associate. I will return the favor.
Gary- Great post! "My friends are my estate." - Emily Dickinson
Susan: That quote is a very good one. When they know the song in your heart they really know you, AND WON'T LET YOU FORGET YOURSELF AND HOW GREAT YOU ARE. A good friend can be your #1 cheerleader!
Alyce: I'm not most REALTORS : ) You probably figured that one out already ; ) I look forward to your post.
Kevin: My friends are my estate from the lovely Ms. Dickinson. That is a very good one.
Gary,
Lots of good stuff to digest and reflect upon!!! Thanks, Fran
Gary, What a great post--I almost missed it, I haven't been in the Rain as much. I loved all the lines and the message but most especially "Friends are the Family you choose for yourself." How true that is!
Fran: I picked a good selection on the quotes that I've always liked that hopefully one or two strike a chord with each person.
Carole: The good friends that "you" select and "they" that select you, do act just like family.
Friends are the one of the most important parts of life. This is an excellent post, Gary. You have covered the topic well and made a wonderful analogy. Love the graphic, I like words, too. I'll take the bus with you any day!!
Friends are the greatest gift! Great post Gary and I love the picture!
Gary- Positive and Encouraging words are by far the best indication of who I want to get to know. Loved your quotes.
Bonnie: If your limo breaks down too I'm with you on the bus ride : ) That quote actually comes from Oprah Winfrey of all people.
Patricia: Thank you.
Kathy: Yep, everyone likes to be around positive people. Something for us to remember on our grumpy days.
Gary-simply a beautiful post and very thought provoking. I do believe in the power of words and yes every single one matter.
It's a great post on this beautiful Sunday and Congrats my friend your post was selected for the Blogger's Choice Selection!
Gary, Congratulations on being chosen for a Bloggers Choice Award...:) I knew I liked this Post LOL :)
Midori: What an honor by this group. I appreciate you beautiful words to me. See those words DO count. This time affecting me. Have a great Father's Day today.
Kathy: I very much respect your opinion, you know that.
What a beautiful post! True friends are as precious as anything in the world. As we travel through life we learn who our real friends are...the fair-weather friends come and go. Thanks for such a special reminder!
I want to continue thanking you for your words of wisdom. You are something, Gary. And yes, I do get inspired reading them. I will now carry on conversations with my clients while thinking about what you have just shared here, at the back of my mind.
Diane: I have found a handful of those special ones and they ALWAYS can be counted on. Hopefully I am that way to them or others as well. I think of myself that way. There's an interesting expression about how some check their calendar for time with you but the REALLY good ones don't even think of the calendar when it comes to what you need. It is so precious and invaluable on this earth.
Loreena: I hope I can help you in any way. Your thoughts mean a lot to me from your comments to your absolutely stellar posts.
This is a wonderful post, Gary, on the power and importance of friendship and kindness:-)
Debra: You hit the nail on the head. There is GREAT power in friendship and kindness.
Hey Rascal-Me thinks I charmed the biggest charmer of all. SWEET!!!!!!! But I still know you have LOTS of ladies in your hip pocket just the way charmers like it. Miss my charm don't you rascal. You love the undivided attention and that is what you miss. I can read you like a book. Lots of practice. I know you spread that charm around just like you told me to do. Bill keeps me very informed of these things.
You were there when I needed a friend and I will always remember that whether I am here or not but now maybe there is someone else in your life who needs you like that. You just never know how much of an affect you have on one person's life and that is the best charm of all. Honest and sincere wins over B.S. anyday. I'll always be your friend whether I'm here or not. I'm not purposely not here, just very busy and I'm not the blogger you are. The ultimate entertainer, most likely but what do entertainers do best. Engage and charm their audience. I did that with my time here but now I must focus on life and making a living. You know that saying if you love something set it free etc plus the friend thing about a friend for a reason, season etc. They most likely apply here.
I've always been a mystery to you my friend and that will never change. Somethings you just don't need the answers to. It is better that way. I'm never gonna forget you and I will always want the best for you in this life. Remember when one door closes another opens. Maybe you need to focus more on the open door. Remember you never know what the open door holds in store for you if your focus is on the closed door. You are my friend and I won't forget that or you. You asked for something so here it is
LOL...LOL...LOL...LOL...LOL...LOL...LOL...LOL...LOL...LOL....