There was a time when I was inspired to write an article about choosing and being with right friends. Share ko po sa inyo ang excerpt. I am a bit #senti today siguro dahil na rin sa rainy weather. 

Choose the right person.

Always be with someone who puts you up when you’re down, becomes glad when you are happy, cheers for you when you are gearing towards success, and tells you the things that you need to know and not only what you want to hear.

Don’t pretend to be someone who you are not. There are people out there who are going to accept you for who you are and would never look at what you have only. Putting yourself inside the box refrains you from getting the freedom of being you. Doing so gives others false impressions and too many expectations that you can’t meet. Fulfill your promises and tell your friends immediately if you can’t. Honesty is still the best policy.

If you don’t have something good to say, don’t speak. You can’t get back the words that you say so be careful with your words. Hurtful words leave scars that don’t heal.

Appreciate people.

Be generous with positive reinforcements and praises. It’s nice to say words of encouragement and thanks to the people who stay true and good to you through the years. Your words validate also that you have made the right choice of surrounding yourself with good people. That means you are in good company.

Refrain from being too judgmental.

Judging others based on your first impression is normal because it is a means for you to protect yourself from dangerous and abusive people. Although most of the time first impressions last, it is more reasonable if you tell who the person really is after spending some time with him.

Be considerate.

Each person has a different background and life experience. In making decisions involving a person, always try to look at different angles of the situation and the person’s current state of well-being. Be nice. Be reasonable. You don’t know what battles he is going through.

Always keep in touch.

Everyone is busy including yourself. Amidst the demands of your current situation, may it be with work-related or personal, it is best to squeeze in time for your friends during your hectic schedule. If you are too busy to catch up in person, a simple hi or hello often, remembering your friend’s special day, or asking how he is online can make a lot of difference. Be mindful and thoughtful always.

Man is born inherently good. What makes him a person who he is right now is defined by his experiences, exposure, and upbringing. But it is also best to follow your intuition and observe danger signs to avoid getting bad company. Like for instance, if you meet a person for the first time and he already tells something bad about others that you don’t even know and most especially if the person that he is talking about is his own friend, there is a possibility that he can do the same to you behind your back.

Prayer does wonders. Placing God in the center of your friendship leads to a long-lasting and wonderful relationship.

You are who you choose to be with. Surround yourself with positive people and take the negative ones out of your life. You deserve to be happy and free from stress and abuse. Make the right choice, right now.

Robert Louis Stevenson, Scottish novelist, poet, essayist, and travel writer, once said, "A friend is a gift you give yourself." Choose wisely. 

Excerpt lifted from http://www.psst.ph/choose-friend-keeps/

Written by yours truly for Psst.ph