KS Friendship Rule #6: Be Generous with your Praise
When we started discussing Karmasister friendship rules, we really wanted to get at the roots of the dynamic of our group simply because of its easy (and shocking to many) harmony. One thing we noticed is that all of the favourite girls in our lives make an effort to "pump each other up" (thank you Laura for the phrase). No one is shy to point out another's stunning new bangs, dewy skin, or lights-out golf game. Sometimes over wine there are side conversations about how polite someone's child was when she wasn't around, or how graciously she faced a challenging situation. When a friend looks in your eyes and pays you a genuine compliment, it means so much.
I maintain that the essential factor in being able to dole out authentic praise is a certain comfort level within our own skin. If we hold on to insecurity, then competitiveness and comparison take over and don't allow us to share in our friend's light as she shines. Of course, it takes awhile to get to that point. Finding your group - girls who can be happy for your success - can be a long road. As we've said before, theReal Housewives shows do such a disservice to the picture of female friendship. It's a shame that women buy into that model of drama and toxicity. Because it feels so fantastic to walk into a room of friends and know that there is embracing over comparing, and celebrating over competing.
Penny
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