Friendship.
It’s like one of the best gifts we’ve ever been given. Right?
I remember as a kid, knowing that I could go over to my best friend’s house and not have to worry about a thing. She would listen to me, and let me be goofy…
and yes…
we were close enough to fart.
That’s right.
It was heavenly.

In college, I remember rooming with some of my best friends and what could be better than never having to go home from your sleep over? Actually, even better, you can sleep in your own bed! I never was a fan of sleeping at other people’s houses.

A few years ago, I went to Disneyland with a bunch of friends. All grown women. Best trip ever. People stared at us like we were a freak of nature. Bunch of women, no kids in sight, laughing hysterically.
Maybe we WERE a freak of nature.
But AWESOME.
Like the platypus.

Enter blogging…

I think blogging has the potential of being amazing.
Or it can bring you down into the pit of “I’m not that great” despair.
(it’s different from the Pit of Despair that they sent Wesley to in The Princess Bride. But has a similar painful outcome)

It can build you up, and make you an amazing support system that spans the country. (or even the world!)

Or, it can make you feel like you’ve returned to the High School sock-hop. And when your friend got asked to dance, and you didn’t, you suddenly had to fake like….you needed to go to the potty anyway.

So today, I’m proposing the former outcome.
The one about the “support”.
Which makes me think of a bra.
Which makes me think of the ladies on Mad Men who have rocket boobs.
Which makes me think of these awesome ads from the 50′s and 60′s.

(which sounds like a “When you give a Mouse a Cookie” book. Only about bras.)

As you’re blogging.
Or reading blogs.
Or even just deciding what kind of friend you want to be…

Think: “be supportive”

Think: be genuinely ready to GIVE SUPPORT

I find that the super lovely bras, might be cute. But they JUST DON’T HOLD UP MY CHEST.
You know?
The grandma kind, with 6 hooks, padded straps, and a industrial underwire?
I can COUNT on those puppies.
Might not be as cute, but I’m not gonna be worried about flailing around.

Think: They come in pairs

You know. They don’t come alone. There’s always the other one.
No man is an island.
Well, strike that, No Man HAS to be an island.

My husband loves to tell the story of the day he realized that EVERYONE’S legs and feet fell asleep when they sat crossed legged for a long time. He thought it was just his. Until someone else had that experience. And he realized, “hey! That’s not just me!”

If you feel a certain way, chances are at least a couple other people do too. But you gotta be willing to say, “know what’s weird? My legs tingle when I sit like this.”
So that they have the opportunity to say, “Me too!”

Can’t fault people for not being mind-readers.
I hear there aren’t very many of those.
At least that’s what my hubby tells me.

And finally:

Think: I am needed, and important

I often take my bra for granted.
It probably doesn’t realize how MUCH I truly need it.

That one time when I had to do a dance review in college and I wore 3 bras. THEN I appreciated them. They supported me BIG TIME. So I didn’t have to be embarrassed.

Don’t underestimate yourself. Or the power of your intuitions.
Recently, our neighborhood has been challenged to follow through immediately on things we feel or think.
Like if you think, “I ought to give so-and-so a call”
or “I ought to tell her that she really made my day”
we’re supposed to do it. And not just think it.

I LOVE THIS IDEA!

Remember to be supportive. Even though Pinterest is fabulous….think about how much work was put into that idea that you are planning on being “inspired” by. Let’s take a moment to stop and tell that person, “Wow! This really inspired me.” Or, “I can’t wait to try this on my own!” You’ll never know what a difference YOU can make.

I have to say, that through giving up some of my inhabitions about being “less than worthy” I have discovered that most people, popular or not…bloggers or not…
Are just super.
And if they’re not, meh. So what? Maybe you caught them on an off day. Maybe they need YOU to show them that supportive friends can make all the difference. I gotta remind myself daily, almost hourly not to ASSUME what someone might be going through.

We live in a world where people go on TV to be judged, ridiculed, and otherwise told that they aren’t good enough. And we watch it to be entertained! (and don’t get me wrong…I watch too! American Idol? I want to go to there!) I kinda don’t need that in my life, though.

I LOVE the “blog bra” that I have built around me.
It’s the good kind.
With padded straps and a super strong underwire.
I’ve watched it countless times….rally around friends and support them through good times and awful ones.

And what if you don’t feel like you have that around you?

I’m gonna start by trying to be that myself. Trying to fortify my “underwire”, and trying to make sure I can support. Because I know that’s what I wish for.  The best way to have your wishes granted….is to start filling them for others.

And that’s about as far as I can take the bra analogy.
Even though I think it’s a good one.

(PS….boy who called me “Dolly Parton” in front of the whole class in 4th grade….I’m still trying not to blame all my life’s problems on you.  And comparing bras to good things and great friends is a good start….right?)

Guess what?  I am so exited!

I get to hang out over at Tatertots & Jello today with my buddy Jen.

There’s a brand new tutorial over there from yours truly.  And for real: I AM the president of the Tatertots & Jello fan club.  My whole house are members.  My daughter calls her “Tatertot Jen”.  We love us some Tatertots & Jello!

So head over there and see what I’m sharing today.

Want a sneak peek?  Don’t you wonder how this eyesore could be improved upon?

Well it can be!  Come over to Tatertots & Jello and see……