Move Like A Jelly Fish, Jump Like A Hippopotamus

Now, I'm sure you've all heard he saying, "distance makes the heart grow fonder". I've had first hand experience of this many times in my life, but I have also unfortunately, experienced the contrary. I'm not talking solely about relationships such as "boyfriend/girlfriend relationships," I'm talking about friendships and family ties as well. When people think of distance, they tend to think of measurements in physical miles. Lately, I have realized that there is a sort of invisible distance that can break a friendship ten times more than physical. As time goes by, some people tend to drift apart and unfortunately, this is a part of life.


There's this little thing that apparently only a select few people know about. It's called "effort". You see, as absurd as it might sound, it's imperative to actually try to work at a friendship, or any relationship for that manner. It's unfortunate that people drift apart, but sometimes this can be for the better. When we're waving goodbye to one person, we should recognize that there are others we could be greeting.


I bring this particular topic up because I've realized how many close friends have decided to head in an opposite direction as me. Now, if we were to run into each other, I would not hesitate to exchange greetings, however we are not even half as close to being as familiar with each other as we have been in the past. I've become more aware of all the things that people have to deal with in their lives and it is easy to understand why people fade away or drift apart. The fact of the matter is, the world is ever changing. Some people want to have the same best friends, expect their friends' opinions to stay the same forever, and just think that things will always remain golden forever. 


People automatically get angry when someone they know decides to walk away, but the thing is, sometimes that friend doesn't even realize they're walking away. First of all, we must have patience with people. We don't always recognize everything that one of our friends are going through. Secondly, if we have a problem with the way someone is treating you, speak up. Sometimes the person might be so caught up with school or work or family issues that they lose track of social ties. Thirdly, do something about it. Make a change. If someone isn't as close as they used to be, perhaps it's time to re-tie your relationship, so to speak.


Also, people have different feelings and attitudes towards things (obviously), but attitudes can be changed. Hell, beliefs can be changed. Sometimes, it's not necessary to agree with someone else's attitudes or beliefs, but at least be tolerant. If what someone is doing is not destructive, then there's no reason to cut off the friendship. Things like religion and politics have caused me to lose some really great friends, but there's no reason that should happen. If someone's a really great friend, it shouldn't matter if they are pro-choice or anti-gay marriage. You can disagree with them, sure. But the differences might even make the friendship stronger. The differences in opinions could give both members of the relationship a greater understanding of the opposing person's views.


Bottom line, live is full of decisions. You decide to eat breakfast or not, to blow all of your money on comic books, to wear a checker-board shirt with leopard print pants. Then again, you decide whether or not you go on spring break with Johnny and Calvin, if you should call someone you've been missing, or even take a different route to your next class (who knows, you might run into someone worth your while). Your decisions might only effect you, but others can change people's lives. Some of the most important decisions that you will have to make, are when it comes to the people in your life. We're all going to have to ask ourselves difficult questions. "Does she love me?", "Why is he wasting his life?"... We shouldn't judge someone before we really get to know someone. You might know OF someone, but you really don't know who a person truly is right off the bat. Even a great friend can turn around and stab you in the back, sure.. but I'd rather take that risk on someone who I really care about. Some things in life, you just can not prepare for. Sometimes, the greatest thing you can ever give someone is a chance.


True friendship multiplies the good in life and divides its evils. Strive to have friends, for life without friends is like life on a desert island. To find one real friend in a lifetime is good fortune; to keep him is a blessing. - Baltasar Gracian