Why Can't We Be Friends?

  One day earlier this year, around the time of fall break, I was walking through campus during the lunch hour when I had a prompting to walk toward the part of campus that is in between the library and C-building. I had previous plans to walk a different pathway that I believed was a shorter distance. At the time, I did not know why I was inspired to walk that way but I decided to listen to that prompting. As I walked, I saw a young freshman sitting all by himself at one of the tables. He had only been attending Holbrook High School for a few days and he had not made any friends. Mary had introduced the kid to me the day before while he was registering for his classes. I knew of him but I did not personally know him. Anyways, this individual appeared terribly sad and lonely.

I had been told by one of my teachers that I had intimidated the freshman the day before because I am such a tough senior. I would also be scared if I was a freshman so I don't blame the little guy. I had no plans or obligations at the time, so I sat down, decided to talk to him, show him that I am not as scary as I look, and try to be a friend to him. At first, he was very reserved and I could only get him to say a few word at a time. But the longer that we talked, the more he opened up to me. He discovered that I am not the mean guy that I appear to be. We have been friends ever since then.

This experience reminds me of a great song that says,” Why can't we be friends? Why can't we be friends? Why can't...”. Although this song is incredibly annoying, I agree with its lyrics. Be friendly and people will want to become your friend. Makes sense, don't it! Don't reject other people just because you don't know them. Be humble enough to take a few minutes from your day and talk to someone who you don't know very well. They might become one of your closest friends. Another issue that I would like to address is being judgmental. Making judgments about others because of their appearance and your first impression of them is completely wrong. I have regretfully made the mistake many times though out my life and then that same person has become one of my closest friends.

Another point that I want to make is this: be friendly. A cold shoulder is more hurtful than many of us realize. A smile, a compliment, saying hello, a hug, or asking someone how they are doing may seem like little things that have no effects. However, these acts of kindness can entirely improve someones day and lift their spirits. Show some brotherly love. Think of how you can be a friend to someone else and they will be your friend in return.