Power of Friends' Opinions

Jan 03, 2008 - 23:41 PM PST

So I am on facebook as well because I am a typical college student. My status is currently "Liz is scattered & wishing someone could scoop her up & put her back together". Now don't be fooled, the status is not the topic of this blog (although I am sure that topic will be covered at a later date). The reason for this particular blog is to reflect on the power of the simple wonderful things that my friends say to me or even about me and how I don't always believe them or realize how amazing my friends really are.

For example, in response to this status, my roommate who I lived with all throughout freshman year and this past semester said, "I will get glue, drive to Ohio, and put you back together. I'M GOING TO MISS YOU SO MUCH ♥". Now my roommate and I did not really hang out a lot together outside of actually living TOGETHER. We didn't really hang with the same friends, although we were friendly and accepted in each other's circles. But the only time we really hung out together was in our room last year or this past semester in the living room of our apartment. We have talked about everything under the sun and I probably know her pretty damn well for only having met her a year and half ago. I always knew she liked me as a person but never really thought she cared as much about me like a real friend does. But then she goes and writes something like this and it makes me re-evaluate how close we have become.

It's amazing how you really don't know how close you are to someone until they just say something this simple. It's not like she poured out her feelings or anything dramatic. But just the gesture of trying to comfort me and tell me that I am important in her life actually is effective and ends up comforting me. It just continues to amaze me that there are certain things that friends have said to me that have stuck with me. Another friend of mine, Matt, is not a really open person. He does not like to reveal his emotions or let anyone know what he's thinking. There have been times when I wonder how close we really are. But then he goes and comforts me in his own unique way and it reminds me that we are friends after all. One day over the summer, my facebook status was "Liz is impossible to forget but hard to remember". Matt wrote on my wall, "Dearie, you are not hard to remember. Anyone who cannot remember you is not worth remembering themselves." And still that sticks with me and I remember that he does care for me, even if he doesn't show it often.

Another example of something that really sticks with me is when I occasionally hang out with my roommate and her friends. One time, I walked in and one of her friends said, "Hey Liz. We watched your film last night and I just wanted to tell you that I think you're so cool. You're just so creative and different and awesome and...cool." And that really seemed to make me feel "cool", at least to her. And now every time I hang out with them, I really do feel "cool". This simple statement really did effect me and she probably has no idea.

There have been plenty of other times that friends have comforted me and said things that are very touching and struck me and have even stayed with me. And the issue of whether I believe them or not is also for another blog at another time. But the reason for this blog was really just to reflect on the power that our friends and even acquaintances have on us. It's amazing that one simple statement can change your entire mood or feeling about yourself. These little compliments help people to remember that they are wanted and cared for by others. That their friendship is valued. I think some people may not hear that enough and if we could just give our friends more reassurances that they are important to us, the world may be a little happier place. I try to make sure that my friends know I care for them and only want the best for them. I hope that they all know that. But who knows?

I am sorry if this blog seems a bit self absorbed. As I re-read it it seems kinda selfish. But whatever. If you didn't like it, tell me so! Anyway, thanks for reading and please, tell a friend that they matter to you. You have no idea if it might just brighten their whole day.

Ciao~
-Liz