Secrets to Building Friendships
There is a Skill to Connecting with Others

“You can make more friends in two months by becoming interested in others than you can in two years trying to get others interested in you.” Dale Carnegie

Be authentic.  Be yourself and others will respond with equal authenticity. This is the secret to building friendships. Be genuine and choose to spend time with those that respond in like manner.

I have developed a time-proven skill on how to be authentic, attentive and sensitive with strangers that I meet. It is simple; just be nice, smile, and express an interest in others.

I travel extensively and have the opportunity to connect with a diverse group of people. I have learned that people know when you genuinely care about them. I was in the Dallas airport on one occasion and saw a group of weary soldiers. Their destination was Afghanistan. I was moved with compassion as I approached these young men and women and said, “Hey guys, thank you for your service to our country!” Suddenly, their smiles acknowledged their appreciation of my attention toward them. I assumed an authentic motherly tone and asked their permission to pray for God’s protection over all of them. They quickly stood up, removed their hats, and bowed their heads as I prayed. We all hugged and expressed love for one another. While this may not have been politically correct, it was not only Scripturally based but carried with it the expression and essence of the kind of authenticity that will last a lifetime.  Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. 1 John 4:7-8

“While I know myself as a creation of God, I am also obligated to realize and remember that everyone else and everything else are also God's creation.” - Maya Angelou