FRIENDSHIP AND OPPORTUNITIES

There was a time in my life when I was athletic, but I have never been aggressive, ambitious, or competitive. What I have been is very blessed. 

I guess God knew what was on my horizon. 

I know there’s a bit of shyness and some rejection issues, too, so He's had a tendency to just drop stuff in my lap to get me going...and that stuff opened doors to other stuff that kept, and keeps me going. 

God is a real confidence builder...(and of course, my mother insisted on niceness--although I find the older I get, "nice" is sometimes perceived as gullible, blindly trusting, and air headed. People think you're just going to roll over, not call them on their inappropriate behavior, or not speak up for yourself...but I digress).

I trust God to take care of me. I just do. There is never a time that I doubt that He will. He has such a good track record. I don't scrape, scratch, fight for, or bulldoze others for opportunities. I'm never looking for a hook up. That's way too much work. I'm not waiting and hoping for someone to die, or have an emergency tracheotomy. That's just evil. 

The key is to do your best. Frankly, that's all you CAN do, and if that's not good enough over here, God's got other stuff over there.

I'm a witness (and every opportunity will not come from those who LOOK like you do.)

I've always liked playing games--board games; card games, that is--but not PEOPLE games. Sometimes, having discernment can yield disappointing information, but it is necessary. You need to see some things, whether you want to or not. Sometimes, what you see is that everyone is not a friend. Manipulative opportunists are loyal to no one. They'll either befriend you in order to access someone with whom you are acquainted, to get information, or to assume your position. 

Everyone is not a friend. Don't let anyone even think they have the power to gauge/control the strength of your relationships--definitely not by using your gifts, talents, or livelihood. Protect those.

If they're your good friend, they'll:
1. know your name
2. be honest
3. never sit silently as someone demeans you or lies about you
4. never try to drive wedges between you and your other friends or loved ones
5. never cheat you
6. celebrate you, and not constantly compete with you
7. never expect you to accept and be appreciative of what they would never allow or tolerate
8. never withhold pertinent information
9. never allow you to be blindsided
10. never try to beat you out of opportunities by promoting themselves
11. care less about your list of contacts
12. never treat your livelihood as if it is their hobby.

13. know your worth, and check you if it looks like you’ve forgotten.

There are lots of tables and rooms. Make sure the places you choose to sit, and enter are in your best interest. Never be so pressed to be in the number that you’re not honest with yourself, paying attention to red flags, or being authentic. 

It’s horribly cliché, but what’s for you, is for YOU.