CIRCLE FOR KEEPS

*photo not mine*

CHOOSE YOUR CIRCLE. Choosing people to be part of your life is a vital option that some of us might overlook. Little did we know that most of our sufferings are caused by the people around us, thus, the decision of who to accept in our life suddenly becomes a priority. The question now is who deserve to be part of our life? I have some points here that maybe you can consider.

1. YOUR GO-TO FRIEND. When everyone seems busy with their own stuff. You need to have this "friend" who prioritized you at some instance when you feel that no one is ready to hold your hand. 'Yung tipong ite-text mo ng 'San ka? Labas tayo' and without a second thought will reply you 'Tara! Ligo lang ako'.

2. THE POSITIVE ONE. Here is a must-must! There are bad hair days that all we need is a tap from a friend and would tell us, "Okay lang yan, ang isipin mo eh 'yung bright side' and will make us see the situation in a whole NEW perspective.

3. THE HONEST/ARGUMENTATIVE BUDDY. Yes. Not because you're friends doesn't mean she will agree on all the things you have to say. You need someone who will let you feel that not all that you're thinking is correct and not everyday that you are right.

4. THE NOT JUDGEMENTAL/OBJECTIVE ONE. I must say, I have been this kind of a friend *clears throat*.  I know that everyone of us needs to be understood until we have completed our side of the story. Some people will make their own conclusion based on what they have heard from other people without you being heard. And worst, they have drafted their own judgement passing through one lip to another. But an objective friend will weigh things upon hearing both sides of the story. And will objectively draw verdict from those merits. I must also say that, get rid of people who have already an idea of who you are before you are able to introduce yourself. And here’s the great deal, when you have this kind of buddy, she will never presumed you are guilty when everyone sees you as the villain, instead, she will have this thinking of ‘the presumption of innocence until proven guilty.

5. THE ONE THAT WILL DEFEND YOU IN YOUR ABSENCE.  Let’s admit it, when you are not around, you are the subject of the round table discussion of your click. But here’s the good news- when you have a friend that will defend you in your absence, those chit-chat will turn into all ‘fact-based’ stories. How’s that for a peace of mind?

There are other things to consider when choosing your circle, of course, that would depend on your kind of personality. You can add for an adventurer, happy-go-lucky, techie, etc. if you find yourself with them.  But these five are the basics (atleast for me). Thank you for reading!