To Show Thyself Friendly
November 14th, 2008
A friendly face and a warm smile can go a long way.
By Lauren Eames
“Go over and talk to her,” my mother said to me.
Self-consciousness gripped me, and my heart skipped a beat at the thought of meeting someone new. For me, introducing myself to and starting a conversation with someone I have never met has always been a hard thing to do. This time was no exception.
It was at the Feast of Tabernacles. I had noticed this girl a few times before. She was small, with medium-length brown hair and brown eyes, often standing shyly with her mother. She didn’t seem to know too many people. I knew I should introduce myself to her, but each time I decided to do it, I always ended up backing out. It just seemed too hard to do. Now though, I didn’t have a choice. I had been told to go and talk to her, so I just had to do it.
Dragging a few of my friends along with me, I nervously walked up to her and introduced myself. My friends did the same. We started asking a few questions, but we didn’t really know what to say, so the “conversation” was filled with awkward silences.
Soon she had to go back to her motel. Relieved, I went back to talking with my other friends that I already knew so well.
The next day, one of my friends suggested going to talk to her again. Reluctantly, I followed along. To my surprise, this time the conversation seemed easier and didn’t include the anxious silences it had the day before. I even found myself enjoying the conversation. It was like someone had untied the knot in my stomach and suddenly I could breathe easier again.
The day of the teen activity came, and both this new girl and I were attending it. About halfway through the afternoon, we decided to go canoeing together. With much laughter at our terrible attempts to get the canoe moving in the right direction, I gradually found talking and spending time with her was no longer filled with awkward silences or not knowing what to talk about.
Now that small, unknown girl, with the brown hair and brown eyes, is one of my best friends! We still keep in contact today via e-mail.
This experience reminds me of Proverbs 18:24: “A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly ….”
I personally learned that without first going and introducing yourself to people you’ve never met, you miss out on many great opportunities to make life-long friends. For me, introducing myself to someone I’ve never met is still a nerve-racking thing to do, but remembering this experience shows the end result of what can happen if you put forth the effort to show yourself friendly.
It all starts with that first awkward introduction.
November 14th, 2008 at 6:04 pm
hey Lauren!!
great article!!this has now inspired me to meet other new people instead of being in your comfort zone.
November 15th, 2008 at 4:36 am
Wow Lauren!! Your second article! Great job!
November 16th, 2008 at 2:46 pm
Hey
this reminds me of my meeting so many friends… i think i was the only one speaking
will endeavor to break out of my comfort zone more i think!
November 16th, 2008 at 11:24 pm
Good on you Lauren, very well done.
November 19th, 2008 at 10:27 am
i go to imperial academy and had to introduce myself to a new student, justin wainright. it wasn’t easy, but we are buddies now. i can relate.
November 19th, 2008 at 10:29 am
Great article Lauren! Keep up the great writing!
November 20th, 2008 at 2:09 am
i like your use of figurative language…
“someone had untied the knot in my stomach and suddenly I could breathe easier again”
… effective.
November 22nd, 2008 at 8:38 am
Great article! Reminded me very much of myself. I used to dread introducing myself to new people and it could take me about an entire Feast to meet one new person unless they made the effort first. Thankfully I am a lot better now and enjoy meeting new people. My job has also forced me to be more outgoing than before. Thanks again for sharing your experience :o)
November 23rd, 2008 at 2:56 am
Great article Lauren! I get that knot in my stomach as well when introducing myself to new people. I am glad that I am not the only one! Thanks again!
November 23rd, 2008 at 6:59 pm
I can totally relate to this article. And since my dad is a minister, well, I am doing that a lot. But its good for me and I think everyone should do it more.
November 24th, 2008 at 7:28 pm
You have really taken a very important step, sometimes it is hard to talk with someone when we hear negative comments about them. But when we step out and do it, wonderful things can happen. In being friendly, sometimes it takes a prayer to overcome some of our own negative thoughts. Thank you for your fine example
November 24th, 2008 at 7:31 pm
Keep up being friendly and you will have many friends
December 5th, 2008 at 6:49 pm
i can relate to this. I was so nervous this feast. it was going to be my first feast in Edmond. Plus i didn’t know any body there so that put extra pressure.but i just went out and tried to talk to some people and know i made friends .every opportunity you have to meet some one knew go out and take your chance to talk to some one.and i bet they will turn out to be life long friends for sure.
December 13th, 2008 at 1:32 am
Awsom Lauren, Totally related to your experience, and still have the same anxious silences today at times but its so true, when we step out in faith and just do it even when fear rises up God will always bless us and it gets easier.