"A Friend is a Friend"

Yogi Tony asked me to do a theme based on the Pete Townsend song A Friend is a Friend.  The lyrics are as follows (I edited out the repetition):

"When eyes meet in silence
A pact can be made
A lifelong alliance
That won't be betrayed
Won't be betrayed

Be friendly
Befriend me now

A friend is a friend
Nothing can change that
Arguments, squabbles
Can't break the contract
That each of you makes
To the death, to the end
Deliver your future,
Into the hands of your friend

Be friendly
Befriend me now

A promise is a promise
A handshake will seal it
No amount of discussion
Can ever repeal it
Commitment forever
To borrow or lend
Deliver your future
Into the hands of your friend

Be friendly
Befriend me now"




At first glance, it seems to be a song about friendship, but I really feel the importance of the song lays in the two words "be friendly", which is a completely different idea.   The reminder to be friendly is a reminder to consciously embrace everyone you encounter with a smile. I guess that is really all you need to do.  The two most standout interactions I had yesterday were with two strangers.  One was a homeless woman standing on a street corner; I handed her five dollars and we talked about how with the wind and looming possibility of rain made it seem like perfect nap weather.  I did hesitate to think where it might be that she would lie down to take a nap.  And the second woman stopped me in Home Depot to ask my opinion on lamp shades.  I listened to her describe the colors of her walls and we finally both agreed upon the same shade.  I am hoping it looks fabulous!

Expounding on the 'be friendly' theme, I googled exactly that...be friendly.  I was almost appalled at articles that popped up self-defined as 'how to be friendly' or '24 steps to being friendly- pictures included.'  Are we so into communicating with our technology that we need to be told the first step to being more friendly is to smile? And then shown a picture of a guy smiling?

Let's be clear; being friendly does not mean you are friends with everyone. I am sure there are many people you would not want to befriend and you probably have some 'friends' you wish you weren't friends with! It has more to do with being nice.  Simple being nice. Understanding each person you address is a spirit, too, and you cannot begin to understand their human journey. Heck, we have trouble understanding ours much of the time!

I like to saunter onto mademethink.com every once in awhile because it will put your day quickly into perspective if you need it.  People write in with true accounts of something that made them think.  The following is the most recent post as it was posted just yesterday:  "Today, I was walking as fast as I could away from a homeless man who was trying to get my attention, until he screamed, “Ma’am, you dropped your wallet!” And I turned around to see him holding it up for me to see. MMT  [made me think]" Apr 12, 2014 by andrea

I understand our healthy innate trepidation towards strangers and I am so not judging "andrea" ; I bet this happens all the time. And your location may play into your reaction, right? Downtown Detroit versus Florida beach... But an acknowledgement, just a glance, might be a step towards respecting another human's spirit. 

"I have a dream too, but it's about singing and dancing and making people happy. It's the kind of dream that gets better the more people you share it with. And I found a whole group of friends who have the same dream, and that makes us sort of like a family."

--"The Muppet Movie"

---