Reposting Blog 6 "the formula for long lasting friendships"

It is normal to have people walk in and out of your life. Friendships are like relationships, there are breakups as well; however, the common parting reason for such circumstance is merely because of conflicts of interests. Such interests may be either materialistic or spiritual. For example, a rich person may use money or some similar substitue (materialistic) to buy a friendship whereas the rich's friend may return the favor by giving him/her back something spiritual. Do you think the friendship would last? I doubt it.

So how can a person have long lasting friendships? He/she to find genuine people. What are genuine people? You see, numerous people, especially in our generation, misunderstand the meaning of true friendship, such as : people who would lend you their homework to copy, have many fun with you, stand up for you or even be there for you when you are in need. But it is not true. A true friend is somebody who would help correct your flaws and never take advantage of you.

The formula for long lasting friendships is very simple. You just need to find somebody who would not be singing praises about you or bringing you down without a legitimate reason. A friendship that does not expect any return will last, because friendship is not an investment. If you ever expect something in return from a friendship, you have already lose it.

Tattoos

Although numerous people believe tattoos are harmful to a person's reputation, I view tattoos more than merely body artworks. Tattoos are markings made by ink on a person's skin for decorative modifications or other reasons. It is undeniable that the people who usually have tattoos inked on their skin are those who are involved in the entertainment industry and mafia. This kind of mentality once again brings us back to the issue of stereotyping, because not all people with tattoos are bad people.

 

Tattoos originated 5000 years ago. Tattoos have served as marks of rank, symbols of religious faith, adornment for bravery and courage, sexual attraction, pledges of love, protection, etc. since ancient times. The icon and impact of tattoos differs in various places and cultures. Until recently, there were no negative associations in the past. Tattoos are associated with criminals or the naval community. But there is nothing wrong with tattoos because they are merely symbols being inked on a person's skin. You see, people tend to view something as wrong if it has be done by criminals or people who are not agreeable in society. 

As for me,  I see tattoos are for us to mark the sweet memories in parts of our skin, so everyday when we see the tattoo, we will always remember not to take things for granted as many things only happen once in a lifetime. I also believe tattoos can be used as locking up painful memories under our skin, because they can act as reminders not to make the same mistake again.  Every tattoo has a story lying beneath the skin.

The Truth about Marriage

"... Until death do us part," many of us will find this wedding vow very familiar if we've gone to any wedding ceremonies. Although many people are serenaded with the word, forever, when whispered in their ears, I shake it off my shoulders. It's not that I do not believe in love, but I am reluctant to believe in a forever that is written on a piece of paper. To spend the rest of one's life with his or her beloved, sounds so simple and sweet, but "one life one love" only happens in fairytales. I have observed the people around me for a very long time, and I find marriage is a joke. There are countless of divorces in our society today. Whoever invented the idea of marriage must be insane, because marriage is a contract. What is the purpose of signing a promise to validate the love when it is not going to last anyway? If two people do not get married but are willing to love each other dearly for the rest of their lives, you have to agree with me that this option is far better than having a broken marriage. 

We often see or at least are willing to believe and picture marriage as an extended honeymoon with candlelit dinners and romantic European trips. However, marriage in reality is learning how to let go of some personal old habits and making room to accept new compromises with the spouse. It is true that marriage is about listening to one another and letting go of immature obstinacy, because sometimes it is essential to swallow one's pride. Instead of investing time and putting earnest effort after getting married, a lot of people think marriage will work on its own after getting married. But they are very wrong. Marriages or relationships do not and will never work on their own, unless both people are willing to work out and sort with each other. 

If ultimately, marriage is going to let people feel that they can take for granted of one another, then why bother getting married? The effects of marriage would just ruin two people's lives. I believe that one does not need marriage to prove his or her love as a bona-fide. Having faith, cherishing and treasuring one another are the essential keys to keep a relationship appreciated and strengthened. Marriage is just a vanity.