Friends

    I heard a story the other day about a little boy that I thought I'd like to share. Truly, the things one can learn from a child! This little chap was being made a fuss over by a group of youth when he spied a girl he didn't know at a nearby table. He pointed a chubby finger in her direction and declared, as only an innocent can, "That's my new friend!
    If only I could obtain that childlike spirit toward others! Imagine if we would cast aside our grown up ideas and standards, forget our first impressions and preconceived notions, and look at those around us as friends! Surely we would feel more compelled to reach out to strangers. Acquaintances would be easier to go out of our way for. Our heartstrings would be tugged to make larger donations to those we saw in need.

    So often feelings of inferiority and self-doubt get in our way. "They won't' like me," "They don't care about me," "They're not my type."

    I don't want to repeat old mantras, but there really is something in forgetting about yourself and focusing on others.

    Try it sometime. Look around and say, "That's my new friend!" You may find that even just saying the words will bring a smile to your heart.