How to make people like you!

I want to share with you my thoughts on how to make people like you. I have been asked many times "how do I make friends?" or my favorite is "How do I make people like me."
The truth is you don't. You don't "make" people like you, they just do, like you, that is.
I would love to understand, how many people look down on themselves, I mean maybe that person isn't worthy of your friendship. Maybe, you should take a step back and say I deserve better then this person in my life.
If someone makes you feel bad or negative about yourself then they aren't your real friend and you shouldn't be stressing yourself about how to make them like you.

Make them like you.

If you have to make someone like you, then that friendship holds no value.

If you are changing your own thoughts, views and opinions to keep this person in your life, then something isn't right here.If they are causing you to lose yourself to gain them as a friend, then their friendship is false.

Self confidence.

I am not telling you to become a tyrant, but I am asking you to never forget your self worth.

Always remember who you are, where your going as well as where you came from.

You are a very special being, after all there is only one like you, there is no other.

Be true.

Be true to who you are. Your likes, dislikes and everything in between. Don't change for anyone, but yourself. You have to live with yourself for the rest of your life, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year for the rest of your days, don't lose one day of your life for someone who doesn't value you.

True or false.

A true friend will be there in good and bad times. They will not only listen, but actually hear what you have to say. This doesn't mean they have to understand or agree with you. A real friend will listen to you and tell you the truth by saying "I have no idea what you just said" or "I don't agree, but that's your view on the matter."

I don't want this post to drag on forever so in closing I am going to leave you with this.

Be you in all that you do. Let those around you see what they are missing. Know who you are and if you don't know that yet, that's o.k. We spend all our lives trying to find out who we are, why throw it all away on someone who doesn't appreciate it?

That's just my two cents on the matter.

My Christmas wish for you

Well, it's Christmas! A time for giving, loving and reflecting on family and good friendships.

I am going to be honest money is tight this year so stamps are way out of my price range, so I decided to send out a big warm Christmas hug to all my blogging family! And yes you are all my blogging family.

I want to wish all of you a Merry Christmas and the happiest of New Years.
I wish you Love, Happiness and Joy the whole year through. I wish all your worries, troubles and doubts become non existent this coming year. I hope your goals, wishes and dreams come to pass in this coming year.

I really love all my blogging sisters and brothers and I am thankful for the chance to get to know each and everyone of you!

Thank you for making my blogging journey more wonderful then I ever expected :)
You Ladies have taken beauty to a whole other level.

Your Squid,
Laurie M.

 

How to be a house guest holiday edition!

We all love our families and can't wait till holiday time to get together for that last week of December and share this special time with the people we love. The tree, the kids, the snow and the moments that we will always remember for years to come. But, sometimes it doesn't always go as planned.

I mean what about the wet towels on the floor in the bathroom, your husband busting up a suit case leaving his clothes everywhere, the guys ransacking the kitchen, the kids finding the candy-cains before they get to the tree and your kid is the culprit! The man of the house forgetting his job of removing the snow from the walkway because his brother is in town. Not only is the visiting family in a uproar, but also the host family.

Kids are moved from their beds and transferred to a pull out, the bathroom becomes prime real estate, late hours waiting for the kids to sleep so you can actually have a cocktail or a adult conversation without hearing she pulled me, he's touching my stuff.

This can all be very overwhelming and even though I love my family and would do anything for them, visitations can go wrong in the blink of an eye. A question you ask your spouse could cause the other couple to go into a shouting match!! Believe me I know I lived it!!

Before you cancel your family gathering I am going to offer you a survival guide on

How to be a good guest holiday edition:

1. Include yourself and your family in daily chores.
Dishes, taking out the trash, preparing meals, running to the store, cleaning up.
This will ease some of the tension if everyone works together.

2. Keep the kids happy
Rotating who keeps the kids busy with stories, games, silly conversations, holiday crafts, movies, etc..
This keeps the noise down and gives every one a break from being a referee.

3. Keep your stuff in your given area.
Keeping your luggage and personal belongings in a designated area keeps the house from looking like baggage claim of an airport and it helps so you don't leave behind your favorite pajamas when its time to go.
And the host will appreciate it more then you know!

4. Don't change their life styles
Many people live different ways, I say to each their own. When in Rome, do as the Romans do. If they eat at 5pm you eat at 5pm. If they don't give their kids a snack before dinner, hold back on the snacks for your kids if any. You don't want to put the family out of sync and you don't want a child to cry when you leave, only because you gave them cookies when the parents said no.

5. Offer your awesome services
Cook a meal, watch the kids while they do some shopping, take the kids to see a holiday movie while they gift wrap. Make your presence valuable not burden some, you do want to be called back next year!!

6. Don't bring up the past
If your family is anything like mine, you know there are certain topics not to bring up, because Christmas will just be canceled after that. If these subjects come up, do your best to skip to something more lighthearted.
You don't want your brother staring you down because you brought up his high school sweet heart do you?

7. Make yourself scarce
Get out of the house for a day if staying more then a week.
Take a drive, go shopping. Do something that will keep you and yours out of the house for a few hours.
Cabin fever with family never ends well.

8. Don't take up to much time of a spouse
Brothers are brothers. Sisters are sisters. Don't take them away during the whole visit from their spouse the holidays are a special time especially for couples, give them their space. If a lovers spat breaks out let it pass, they will mend things on their own.

9. Be like Switzerland
If a argument breaks out and they are asking for advice, the best advice is just to listen and let them blow off steam. Listen to your brother as he claims his wife is a bitch. Listen to your sister as she screams her husband is a ass. Don't take sides, just listen. They will think your nuts and walk away after a while of you not responding to them. Better to be nuts then the reason for a fueling a dying fire.

10. Have fun!!
The holidays are a special time for everyone, a time where memories are made and moments cherished.
Don't bring your worries to the festivities, leave them at the door. A New Year is beginning! A second chance don't let the last year effect the next one. Enjoy your family, friends and holidays!!

I hope this little guide helps! Share this post if you like it, It helps me out and makes me happy :)

Laurie M.