Surrounding Yourself With Support

December 6, 2014 @ 12:17 pm by ACT

The next time you are in a crowded area, such as an airport or a small mall, try a little observation experiment. Guess the main visual difference between people who are walking by themselves vs. people who are with others or talking with someone on a cell phone. The answer is that people alone do not smile. Really, it is true for about nine out of ten people. Nine out of ten people who walk alone do not smile. Oh, every now and then you get a sole man or woman smiling, but it is not often. In fact, one week I was waiting for an appointment at a coffee shop in New York, staring out of the huge glass window, when I turned to the women next to me and said, “Hey, have you ever noticed that people walking by themselves do not smile?” She didn’t believe me and started staring out to prove me wrong. But as she watched New Yorkers quickly walking by our window, sure enough, my hypothesis was correct.

What is the point of this story? Basically, we need each other. We need people around us. Something in us yearns for connection. Therefore, it is crucial to surround ourselves with people who build us up. People who love us enough to challenge us when we are wrong and yet also be sensitive enough to ensure us of their love even in these times. A good friend with a genuine word of praise can do wonders for our confidence. A friend who can “speak the truth in love” can help us see areas of growth without threat and with the safety net that a good friendship provides.