NEVER WITHOUT FRIENDS

P.O Box 1540, Albany Western Australia 6331
Phone/Fax: (08) 98 418 418
E-mail: abl-alb@omninet.net.au

NEVER WITHOUT FRIENDS
It has come to my attention that many people in the rural sector feel cut off and alienated from others. And lonely people need friends who will stick close, listen, care, and offer help when it is needed-in good times and bad. However, if you are experiencing loneliness, you may not need a change in location, but a change of disposition. Let me share with you a fable of two wagons. The first stopped in a valley where a farmer was working. Shouting to the farmer, the driver asked, “What kind of people live in the village?” “What kind of people live where you’ve come from?” responded the farmer “Ah, the best in the world,” replied the driver. “They were good neighbours, friendly, kind, and considerate. We would never have left but for the health of our youngest child.” “You’re in luck, friend,” said the farmer. “That’s exactly the kind of people who live in this village. You’ll like it here.” Soon, the second wagon approached. “Hey, old man,” shouted the driver, “what kind of people live in the village?” “What kind of people live where you’ve come from?” responded the farmer “The worst people in the world,” the driver bitterly replied. “Selfish, inconsiderate, and unfriendly. We could hardly wait to get away.” “It’s no better here,” said the farmer. “That’s exactly the kind of people who live in this village. You’ll not like it here.” It’s conceivable, the farmer answered correctly on both occasions. Because what we see in others is generally a reflection of what they see in us. Our own disposition is usually mirrored in them. When we are unfriendly, discourteous and selfish, we discover that others are the same. When we are friendly, kind and considerate, we find others like that too. Boys love dogs! But the dog that bristles, growls, and shows his teeth receives cool treatment and is usually avoided…no matter how impressive the pedigree. However, the old mongrel dog that wags his tail and “shows himself friendly” receives a loving pat from the boy. Likewise, when a person snarls and approaches us with clenched fists, we immediately become defensive. But, if he warmly smiles and extends his hand in friendship, we eagerly respond. Some people always have friends; others enjoy being around them. Conversely, some people can never keep friends; others avoid them as if they had a contagious disease. Why the difference? One is friendly; interested in others, and the other is unfriendly; interested only in himself. Everyone needs a friend…someone who believes in him…someone in whom he can place his confidence, knowing it is in good hands. An Arabian definition of friendship says: A friend is one to whom we may pour out the contents of our hearts, chaff and grain together, knowing that the gentlest of hands will sift it, keep what is worth keeping, and with a breath of kindness blow the rest away! I’d like to say this, if you’re that kind of friend…YOU WILL ALWAYS HAVE FRIENDS! If you would like to have a copy of “How You Can Have More and Better Friends,” Email me or write to me at P.O Box 1540, Albany W.A 6331. Telephone / Fax (08) 98 418 418

It has come to my attention that many people in the rural sector feel cut off and alienated from others. And lonely people need friends who will stick close, listen, care, and offer help when it is needed-in good times and bad.

However, if you are experiencing loneliness, you may not need a change in location, but a change of disposition.

Let me share with you a fable of two wagons. The first stopped in a valley where a farmer was working. Shouting to the farmer, the driver asked, “What kind of people live in the village?”

“What kind of people live where you’ve come from?” responded the farmer

“Ah, the best in the world,” replied the driver. “They were good neighbours, friendly, kind, and considerate. We would never have left but for the health of our youngest child.”

“You’re in luck, friend,” said the farmer. “That’s exactly the kind of people who live in this village. You’ll like it here.”

Soon, the second wagon approached. “Hey, old man,” shouted the driver, “what kind of people live in the village?”

“What kind of people live where you’ve come from?” responded the farmer

“The worst people in the world,” the driver bitterly replied. “Selfish, inconsiderate, and unfriendly. We could hardly wait to get away.”

“It’s no better here,” said the farmer. “That’s exactly the kind of people who live in this village. You’ll not like it here.”

It’s conceivable, the farmer answered correctly on both occasions. Because what we see in others is generally a reflection of what they see in us. Our own disposition is usually mirrored in them. When we are unfriendly, discourteous and selfish, we discover that others are the same. When we are friendly, kind and considerate, we find others like that too.

Boys love dogs! But the dog that bristles, growls, and shows his teeth receives cool treatment and is usually avoided…no matter how impressive the pedigree. However, the old mongrel dog that wags his tail and “shows himself friendly” receives a loving pat from the boy. Likewise, when a person snarls and approaches us with clenched fists, we immediately become defensive. But, if he warmly smiles and extends his hand in friendship, we eagerly respond.

Some people always have friends; others enjoy being around them. Conversely, some people can never keep friends; others avoid them as if they had a contagious disease. Why the difference? One is friendly; interested in others, and the other is unfriendly; interested only in himself.

Everyone needs a friend…someone who believes in him…someone in whom he can place his confidence, knowing it is in good hands. An Arabian definition of friendship says:
A friend is one to whom we may pour out the contents of our hearts, chaff and grain together, knowing that the gentlest of hands will sift it, keep what is worth keeping, and with a breath of kindness blow the rest away!

I’d like to say this, if you’re that kind of friend…YOU WILL ALWAYS HAVE FRIENDS! If you would like to have a copy of “How You Can Have More and Better Friends,”

Email me
or write to me at
P.O Box 1540,
Albany W.A 6331.

Telephone / Fax (08) 98 418 418