#BeAFriendMonth: How to be a Good Friend!

Rule 1: Be Trustworthy

            You can always trust a real friend.  They will not make promises they cannot keep and they will always be up front and honest with you. You can depend on them to have your back, even when you have made a big mistake or are in a horrible mood. They are consistent and you can trust them to always be there for you.

Rule 2: Be Able to Apologize and to Forgive

           

            An important element in friendship is being able to say you are sorry. Take responsibility for your mistake that has hurt your friend. Do not try to blame it on someone else. This shows that you are mature and are respectful towards your friend. Even though he or she might be angry for a while, your friend understands that you are not perfect. Also, a true friend will forgive you if you are genuinely sorry. Holding grudges, making someone feel guilty, and letting your bitterness build up are not something a friend should do. If you are angry with your friend, talk it out with them, hear their side, and once you have worked it out, let it go.

Rule 3: Be Honest

           

            Honesty is always the best policy: this is especially true with friendship. If you are honest with your friend, it will open up communication and make it so your friend feels like he or she can be honest with you. If something is upsetting you, be honest, a true friend will hear you out.

Rule 4: Be Respectful

           

            Good friends respect each other’s beliefs and values. To be a good friend, you have to make it so your friend feels as if he or she can express their opinions openly with you, without being judged. If there is a disagreement between you two, agree to disagree and move on. Always hear them out. If your friend needs time alone, be respectful enough not to pry and give him or her space.

Rule 5: Accept Your Friend for Who He or She is

            This is the most important rule to be a good friend! Friendship is all about having someone who shares in your mutually weirdness. Even if he or she is different from you, you should appreciate their personal perspective and experiences. To be a friend means to care deeply for someone, despite his or her flaw.

Katie is a senior in high school and is a Girl Talk Leader in her community. She is also the president of the Girl Talk's National Teen Advisory Board. Through Girl Talk, she hopes to impact women worldwide.

#AntiBullyingMonth: Not Allowing the Bullies Get to Me

A few years ago, I was bullied for being different. I did not look like every other girl at school. So people judged me without even knowing me. I reacted to the cruelty by "ignoring" it until it irritated me enough that I broke down crying one day at practice. My friend sat me down and told me I was awesome and beautiful just the way I am. She told me to forget about the haters because many people love me. She said those who mind don't matter and the people who don't mind, matter. It really opened my eyes that not everyone will like you or care for what you look or act like but you need to be happy; if you can accept who you are then that is all that matters. People will fall in love with what you are than what you think you need to be.

That day on I learned to be myself for two reason; everyone else is taken and so why should I hide my qualities from the world? Everyone is different and should embrace who they are because if everyone was the same we could not meet interesting and new people.

After that incident, I was not bothered by those bullies again because I was confident and I "killed them with kindness."  Being kind to people that are being mean to you is tough to do but worth it. It really confuses them and makes them forget why they bullied you. Self confidence and resilient really helped me through that time.

Testimonial Tuesday: Sara!

Girl Talk has significantly help shape the person I am today. It's mission has not only taught me self-confidence and leadership, but also the beauty of universal love and acceptance. Girl Talk has made such an impact on me, and I am so thankful that I became involved in such an amazing organization!