~Ralph Waldo Emerson~
Sincerity is honest, pure, earnest, genuine and real while being free of deceit, hypocrisy, or falseness.
That is a tall emotional order for someone to fulfill or is it?
I’ve had a really good friend for several years and we have supported each other during difficult life experiences. This relationship has been kind, undemanding, easy and filled with sincerity.
How can you be a sincere person?
Be real at all times. Do not wear a false mask meaning be who you really are with everyone. You are not any better than anyone else, so don’t act arrogant. Putting on a big act is hard to keep up and it prevents that close bond you could otherwise develop.
Give without expectation of anything returned. I was just talking to Mom about this very thing tonight. She said, “I have been of service to others because I want to and not because I expected anything back from them.” That pretty much sums it up.
No blankets. Do not wrap your heart in a huge blanket of protection so that nothing can get in or come out. Be vulnerable. Exposed. Raw. In order to make that sincere connection with another person, you must let your heart be open and risk getting it hurt. There is no short cut and no other way.
No comparisons. You are unique. You are not Elvis Presley. You are not Betty Crocker. You are not Martha Stewart. You are not George Clooney. You are not the neighbor across the street with the perfect tan. You are not the muscular life guard at the pool. Don’t compare yourself to anyone else! You are as valued as everyone else and have a list of qualities that makes you as worthy of friendship and love just the same as anyone else.
Goodbye ego. Tell the truth instead of what is pleasing to the ego. This is not something I have a problem doing. As a matter of fact, I have a hard time not saying what is on my mind. If someone gives me a cookie they baked and asks, “Do you like it?” I will honestly tell them my opinion. We are close and sincere with one another right? So if I say, “The cookie tastes like chalk,” you will not be offended. On the contrary, you may laugh and tell me my taste buds must have gone on strike or that you are glad I don’t like them because it leaves more for everyone else. I’m not offended and you aren’t offended either.
See the good. Look for the positive in people and buoy them up. Your belief in them can help them to step outside of their comfort zone and grow. Don’t make things up! Be honest and sincere in your compliments.
Encouragement goes a long way. I used to tell my family, “I’m going to Heaven and I’m dragging you all with me even if you don’t want to go.” A bit dramatic, but I was trying to express that Heaven wouldn’t be Heaven without them there to share it with me because I love them that much. Find a way to encourage others to reach their full potential and attain their hopes, goals and dreams without bossing them around (wink).
Sincerity is not selfish. As a matter of fact, sincerity is totally unselfish. Thinking of, being with, exchanging, and listening to another are unselfish acts that are filled with heart felt compassion, care and love.
Friendship. Sincere friendship. Yes, sincere friendship is priceless and void of all blankets around the heart. I hope you all get to experience that emotional kinship felt between sincere friends.
This is the weekly post where I spotlight my Rockin’ Friends who are the Top Nine active participants and loyal followers in my community! If you want to be mentioned here next week, then all it takes is to come in and start chatting with everyone in my community.
With a big thank you for their participation and friendship, here are the Rockin’ Friends this week in order of most participation, happily smiling next to the names of their blogs..
If you haven’t checked in on my community yet, I thought I might try to entice you with a photo of what I call The Daily Chat. It is the place we all meet each day to “lean over the fence and chat” with each other. The mouse in the photo is actually animated, so click on the picture and check it out.
I really enjoy chatting with everyone in my community and think that we all enjoy the friendship and camaraderie found there each day. So I invite you to come on over and enjoy the wild, informative and fun conversations and discussions.
For everyone mentioned in the top nine this week, feel free to grab the Rockin’ Friend badge below and thank you for your participation!!
Until the spotlight next week…Happy Chatting Rockin’ Friends!
Don’t forget to add your blog URL to the Linky at Woo Us To Your Blog and learn blogging tips that will help you have a polished blog and to increase your traffic! This week it is all about not getting sued because of the things you write about on your blog.
Until next week…Kiss your family, hug your friends and don’t forget to be the friend you would like to have around.
Happy Presidents’ Pets Day – the day after Presidents' Day, as I like to call it. See my blog for a good ol' howl.
I think about my best friends often and how good I feel when I am with them! On a different type of friend, I love to chat in your community!