Usually I try to keep my blog entries up beat (that's when I make entries at all )but I'm touching upon a serious subject with this one. The other day I was having dinner with a young lady (won't say who, but she knows and she's a hottie) when the subject of loyalty came up. It's her position that it is possible to be friendly with everyone, even among people who don't like each other. I appreciate that she has a kind soul and genuinely wants to be friends with everyone, but I have learned that it's just not possible in life to do so while retaining a sense of honor.
Let me explain. We'll use simple math, imagine you have 2 very good friends that you know you can count on. That gives us a value of 2. Now imagine that one of those friends was offended by someone, possibly even harmful in nature. Now imagine that you befriend the person who committed the offense against your friend, for whatever reason (because they're socially popular, or maybe you hate confrontation and it's just easier that way) What happens to the math now? Your friend who was offended is no longer solid with you as they were before so subtract 1, and your other friend is watching this and wondering if you would be that fickle with your loyalties with them as well. Subtract at the least 1/2 or more probably another 1. Now where you once had 2 you now have 1/2 or 0. In anyone's book either is less than the solid 2 you started with and you probably ruffled a few feathers along the way, resulting in your reputation becoming watered down to that of a fair weathered friend without a sense of loyalty and commitment. Also don't be afraid of acquiring a few enemies along the path of life! It shows you had the fortitude to stand for something or someone! As my Tlingit ancestors would say we are judged by the caliber of our enemies as well as our friends, for both define what you have stood for (assuming that you stand for anything at all). If you try to be everyone's friend you'll end up an acquaintance to all and a friend to none!
