A true friend in real life is an invaluable asset. The benefits to both are endless, because friendships can last forever. However, as with many things, the beginnings are sometimes not easy. That's why I thought @galenkp 's question about what we do to achieve true and lasting friendships was a good one. After evaluating myself, I can mention a few.

I'm not the most popular guy, nor the person that everyone wants to be friends with, so I know that for someone to want to be my friend I have to prove that I can fulfill that role. So, I try to do things for others Do you need a favor, a delivery, a time to listen to you in a selfless way? Count me in! I think that's a good way to start a nice friendship. Obviously, not everyone I can do this kind of thing to will not result in a friendship, but I consider that I am not wasting my time. We already know that giving of ourselves in a selfless way will result in our own happiness, so I still have a benefit while I'm looking for friends.

Another thing my wife and I do is share meals in our search for friends. I like to strive to be a good host at home, and make people feel comfortable and not feel obligated to help with the chores. However, I must admit that cooking together provides an incredible opportunity to get to know each other better, as you can see how others work as a team, their tastes, their preferences and different ways of doing things, which even turn out better than mine. And of course, when we sit at the table (if we use it) we will still have good conversations and photos to remember, how can we not smile at the camera in the presence of good food and good people?

Excuse me my friend, but if we're going to be friends I'm going to hug you and have physical contact. And that will be from the very greeting. Please! I'm happy to see you! Let me show you with a hug, a squeeze on the arm or a handshake! I'll joke with you, we'll laugh, and in the process I'll hug you again to laugh on your shoulder. I know, not everyone likes it, but I've noticed that I treat even the most serious and somewhat stiff people that way. I've even noticed that those who see us sometimes think we've known each other for years, and I have to tell them that we haven't, that I'm simply showing them affection.

Those are just three things I can do to seek friendships in the offline world. But how do I maintain them over time?

Obviously, I strive to continue to be available to these people, so that they can count on me when they need me. Also, we like to share simple meals, even if it's just a coffee, or a loaf of bread with homemade jam, there's no reason to abandon them. And I will certainly hold you in my arms, especially if I have time without seeing you. What else can I do?

Generally, we have busy lives, and it's easy to fall into the trap of not communicating with our friends, even though every day we take our phone in our hands for so many things, and right there is our friend's phone number receiving calls and text messages, we have their photo, their WhatsApp, their Telegram, their Discord, their email.... everything! But days go by without hearing from him. I fight against this mistake, and one of the ways to do it is sending them periodically funny multimedia. I love memes, and also some clever humor videos. So when I get access to some really good ones I forward them to many of my contacts, those I see often, those I haven't seen in a while, those I'm close to, those I'm far away from, those who know my sense of humor, those who don't, so they can start to get to know it. It is satisfying when they respond with a greeting, another multimedia, or at least a funny sticker. I find it satisfying that I can snatch a smile from all those people, and let them know that I remembered them.

This week's theme has reminded me of this valuable aspect of our lives, so I will certainly have to use this weekend to continue to give others opportunities to be friends, and to take care of the friends I already have by keeping in touch. All the best to all of you, dear readers, and to your valued friends. Until next time!

_{Images: Images of my property, captured with my Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 phone and Canon EOS Rebel t3i camera.
Banner: Made by me in GIMP with my own images and free resources from the site pfpmaker.com/
Language: Post written in Spanish and then translated into English through DeepL}