One Way Ticket

Okay, maybe scratch the ticket part. But just the phrase "one way" doesn't really sound too appealing. Anyways, ever since high school ended and apparently "the real world" started, it's been harder to stay in touch with friends and I soon realized that effort counts. Long gone are the days when you saw the same faces five days a week and sometimes even more cause of the weekends. But now, five days a week has turned into once a week or even once a month. I now realize that those long random phone calls, updates on people's lives and friends' thoughts on things really are important. Just the fact that you know that you don't really have to face your problems alone, even when it feels like no one can understand.. there's someone out there who'll listen. The thing is though, some people are willing to lend their ears to you more than others and it's really about who's willing to listen and how they react. I think I read in Stumbling On Happiness that we choose which friends to tell things to based on how we know they'll react to it. For example, let's say I tell a friend I got a new yellow peacoat.. one friend might be like "ohhh.. that's cool" while another friend might say "yay! you finally found one you liked!". You'd obviously want to hear the second's friend reaction because they're on the same page as you and understand how much it means to you. Lately I've been starting to realize what friends to turn to when I have certain news to say. A part of it is based on their reaction, but sometimes it's based on whether the person is just there. It's saddening when you want to tell someone something but the call goes straight to voicemail and it seems like that person is unreachable. But another thing that is saddening is when you're the always the person making the phone call or the texts to a friend and never recieving any by them. It makes you begin to wonder whether or not that person actually cherishes the friendship as much as you do? Do they not consider you a good friend? Do they not think of you? Would they rather turn to someone else? And the list goes on.. but you get picture. But the thing is, is that you can't just make someone call you or text you, they have to want to do that. And I think that's why it comes to my concern, because you don't actually have control over the situation and you can't just fix it. But is it so hard to ask for a phone call or any type of communication for that matter? Well I guess I'm trying to say is that sometimes it can suck being the one taking initiative because it seems as if you're the one putting in all the effort and the other person doesn't care. It's like a one way friendship, where the effort isn't being reciprocated. But not to end this post on a sad/bitter note.. I've learned that some people aren't the type to just call after a few seconds after something has happened and that some people like to solve problems themselves without other people's input. And I respect that, we're all different with our own thoughts and solutions to problems. But just know that I'm always there to listen and to share my thoughts. Also, I've realized somethigns are all about timing and being available. When someone wants to tell you something, they will.. just when the time's right. Just don't try to wait it out tooo long, when there's someone on the other end dying to know the answers to his or her questions. It's about give and take, effort, reciprocation and ultimately.. a two way friendship.