I Dare you

Recently I got to sit down with a good friend while at a concert. He expressed that if he had had something to drink he felt better. I asked him if it was necessary for him to drink. I asked him to tell me more about how it made him feel in contrary to when he was sober.
He told me that he felt more like himself, more confident, more secure, didn't feel like he was holding himself back. So, naturally He liked drinking a bit, not like getting real drunk always but still he liked to drink.
Oh, how I understand him! Oh, how I can imagine how it must feel to feel confident in stead of insecure. Still, the warning sign popped up and I got the feeling that it was really wrong. One thing is to be addicted to alcohol because it effects you biologically, but to get addicted psychologically, to get addicted because you don't feel like yourself without it. To me it seems worse than a "normal" alcohol addiction. Mostly because self-esteem is so enormously hard to build up but 10 times as easy to brake down.
So... I dare you to believe in yourself and be yourself.

How to get Friends

"To get friends you must be friendly"
Well, of course - you might think. That is obvious isn't it?
Well then, how are you being friendly? I ask...
! oh, you got an answer? well Please write it in the comment section below :)
For a start I recommend smiling. It may seem simple, but it really isn't. But first a warning:

Caution! Smiling may change you and the people around you in a positive way!

Do you smile when you walk down the street, when driving or when standing in line at a store? I almost never do, which is really sad, for whenever I meet a person in any of those situations that smiles at me I get warm, I begin to smile, I often feel my whole point of view changes into something way more bright, and I feel welcome. It's like an invitation to smile back, maybe even start a conversation. I feel encouraged to do those things when someone smiles at me. You know that feeling?...
So is this my answer? To just go around smiling all day? YES!
It may feel a little awkward at first, but this is something that needs training! The most important thing is not to fake it. If you fake it you end up hiding the real you behind a mask. So don't go do that! Instead find the source of your joy and happiness. Redirect your focus to the things that makes you happy. Your family, your belief, a friend, any person dear to you or the sweet guy you meet the other day. Maybe you are happy because the sun is shinning or just because you are so fortunate even to be able to read this blog right now.
Think about the things that truly makes you happy and there will never be a fake smile on your face.
Take some time now... Think of something that makes you happy :)
What makes me happy right now? It has been a wonderful day. I've been to a meeting where the message really gave me something to think about and it challenged me on a daily basis. Also I'm happy I got to write on my blog tonight. I'm glad I had something to say. I simply love writing it :)

"To get friends you must be friendly"
It may seem obvious, but it isn't. Practise smiling whenever wherever ;)

Second of I say a bit of encouragement hasn't hurt anybody. Pick up the slightest good thing about another person and compliment on it, but Never lie!!! ( Also if you cant find anything good to say then shut it)!!! Show that you are pleased with a person who has done something good. In simple words: pick up your courage and encourage people. I promise you it will return to you one way or another

"To get friends you must be friendly"
Its is possible for YOU to make a person who doesn't believe in themself believe! What a wonder! What a miracle!

- G