Skating Uphill - November 2022
Living a Healthy Lifestyle
“Old friends, new friends, and friends who are no longer
with us bring back so many memories.
Looking back is good, but looking forward is better!”
– The Uphill Skater –
Frequently asked questions in the beginning of new friendships used to be something like where did you two meet, or did someone introduce you, or notions to that effect. The answers were things like introductions by mutual friends, meeting at church, meeting at work, or the ever popular “We met in a bar!” That is my favorite, of course, because that is where I met my husband, and back in the day, that was probably a very common answer. Meeting new friends and finding and building relationships were almost always pretty much face-to-face. Of course, nowadays most anyone under the age of 40 will tell a different story.
“Oh, we met online.” I hear that over and over. Sometimes in a bad way, but most often not. I know people who have reestablished lost friendships, reconnected with long lost friends, or even better long lost loves, and actually built pleasant and enjoyable friendships. We are coming out of COVID slowly but surely, and even though that served as motivation for online friendships it continues to be a real fact. Personally, I think with care and good judgment, this could be such a boon. This is a real gift for people seeking all kinds of things. No, I am not going to talk about those kinds of things, I am more interested in what I call connections.
For example, I love to play bridge, but sometimes I don’t feel like getting dressed up to go out to the bridge club. I also belong to an online bridge club. I have a friend, believe it or not, who is very into Japanese floral arrangements. She is a member of an online group that is international; they trade beautiful pictures, tips and ideas with each other. I just wrote an article for an antique car club newsletter about a woman in Oakland, California, who founded a women-only club for ladies who own antique and collectible automobiles. You guessed it, they started online.
There is nothing wrong with online friends. They are not all sitting in their mother’s basement making up stuff about themselves. Young people today put out who they are and what they want. You can hear a phony line in a bar just as easily as you can online. Don’t ask me how I know this!
We all have different goals in the friendship world, and the best idea is to be very clear about what your goals may be. My friend’s daughter met a man online and they have been in a relationship for a couple of years now. She put out there that she did not want a date. She wanted a life partner. The best choice of respondents was also not at all interested is just dating. He was looking beyond that kind of thing. So honesty is always the best policy, right?
Friendship has many different faces. I have girlfriends who I have had for more years than I want to discuss. However, my husband and I have recently moved, and I am put in the position of making new friends. I am thinking about what I want in a friendship and what kind of person I look for who shares my goals, hobbies, things to do, opinions and as I said earlier, someone who is honest. Friends share. Friends care, and above all, friends are honest with each other! Believe it!
Visit www.skatinguphill.com blog for new recipes, daily thoughts and décor ideas. Also find reprints of Pink articles and shared comments. Blogging is fun and easy.
Judith Lawrenson is a former Hilton Head Island resident who has a huge heart and is loved by all who meet her. She has served and volunteered with numerous charitable organizations while living in the Lowcontry making an impact wherever she went. She and her husband recently moved to the wild hills of West Virginia to be closer to grandchildren. Judith is an avid sailor, a retired reading resource specialist, and a children's TV host whose local show originated from the Boys and Girls' Club. Judith is also a long-time seeker of healthy, happy living and a lifestyle dedicated to service to others, balanced with love of God and love of self. Check out her blog www.skatinguphill.com for fun info, recipes and nutrition ideas, current updates on nearly everything in the world, and lots of comments and opinions.
Though I do tons of research, and have done so for many years, I am not a doctor and I share only my opinions. I enjoy research and subscribe to several magazines and publications and read up on all new trends. I hope you do, too!