The question presented this week was; "How do you go about finding new friends and creating lasting friendships in the offline world?"
I frankly don't set out to find friends. For me it has been hard to find true lasting friendships since leaving the military. Don't get me wrong, I have met good people, some great people even. But I just can't seem to build the same bond with them that I did with those when I was once in the Marines.
And it wasn't just in the Marines either. It was when I was in certain units while in the Marines that I felt especially bonded to my buddies. Still to this day I feel these bonds with them.
I mean when you spend countless hours, days, and months, and even years training, sleeping, sweating, and suffering alongside each other you form unbreakable bonds that the span of distance nor time can break.
Sorry, but nothing I have experienced in the civilian world has put me in a position with another person like this so that I can build the same type of relationship.
However, since working through some of my mental "challenges" and while continuing to work through more of them, along with physical ones, I found some people on Hive that I would like to call friends.
No, these folks didn't jump out of planes with me, or swim shark infested waters at night by my side. But, they have been patient, understood me, listened to my story, are looking to understand me, motivate me, and most importantly just be upfront with me.
In return, I just want to do what I did for my old buddies, and be there for them. Yeah, although this body may not be able to pick up and go help someone move into a new house, or give someone a ride across country, I do have one ability. I can listen.
Sometimes listening is all anyone needs from a friend.
Note: Image sources are my own. I am not sure what or who took the photos.
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