Winnie the Pooh was one of my childhood favorites. Perhaps it was because Disney made him so cute and loveable? Or perhaps it was because he was full of simple wisdom about how we can live a good life.
Here are seven quotes from Winnie the Pooh that hint at how we can be a really good friend.
- "Some people care too much. I think it's called love."
Caring is a good thing. It is the emotion that holds us together and what seperates our friends from all the other humans out there. Don't ever stop yourself from caring. Let yourself "care too much". True friendship is built on love.
"A day without a friend is like a pot without a single drop of honey." Prioritize your relationships with good friends, as it is these relationships that truly do make life feel sweeter. Having strong social relationships improves our overall well-being. Research indicates that those who have close and supportive relationships in their lives,
have both better physical and psychological health. Your friendships matter.
Piglet: "How do you spell love?" Pooh: "You don't spell it, you feel it. Relationships are built over time, and feeling truly connected to another person doesn't happen instantly. You need to be committed to developing your friendships and giving them the space, energy and time to grow naturally. Because you can't spell friendship, you have to feel it.
"Nobody can be uncheered with a balloon." A little effort goes a long way when it comes to being a good friend. It may be a simple text to let your buddy know know how much you appreciate them. Or as Pooh Bear suggests, you could deliver them a balloon, as it is hard not to smile when you're given a balloon. We all have the power to brighten the day of another and we should look for the simple ways we can.
"If the person you are talking to doesn't appear to be listening, be patient. It may simply be that he has a small piece of fluff in his ear." Give your friends the benefit of the doubt. Rather than becoming instantly frustrated or offended, if you don't feel heard by a friend, try being patient with them. Nobody is perfect, and we all have times where we will be distracted. Your buddy will likely have a good reason for not being 100% present with you. Perhaps they are stressed or exhausted, or may have their ears full of fluff. It could be a sign to think less about yourself for a moment, and more about them.
"How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard." Don't forget to look for the good in others, and your relationships with them. Pooh is forever the optimist, always looking for the bright side. As we grow in life, many of our close relationships become interrupted by physical distance. Rather than focusing on the fact that your good friends aren't physically close, focus on how lucky you are to have a connection with them. Even if you don't speak to them all the time, it is nice to know they are there.
"Always remember you are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, smarter than you think, and loved more than you know."This is perhaps the best statement Pooh ever made. So many of us are excellent friends to others, yet we forget to also be our own best friend.
Don't forget that you too deserve a giant dose of your love and affection.
Look for your own strengths and celebrate them. Speak to yourself and encourage yourself like you would your best friend. And don't forget, you are more loved than you know.
Kate is a Life and Executive Coach at www.thrive.how. Through her individual coaching programs, she helps people clarify their thinking, grow into their potential and re-gain balance. You can learn more about Kate by following her on Facebook or Instagram, or sign up to her community to get a copy of her Thriving Life Mini-Guide.
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