the quality of life is improved by people of quality.

gen·u·ine:

possessing the claimed or attributed character, quality, or origin; not counterfeit; authentic;      real. free from pretense, affectation, or hypocrisy.

     Considering that I never have free days, I try to make the most out of the free time I do get. Today I got to catch up with a friend on the past few months of her life. As we spilled our hearts and laughed over Starbucks, we realized that we have one common desire lately: to meet genuine people. 

     It got me thinking about the people we meet and the people we befriend. It is not hard to meet people, but it is hard to meet people who you can connect with. Its easy to poke fun, see a movie or eat a dinner, but where do you go to find those people with who you can talk about something deeper. Personally, I have a really hard time opening up to people. Its not that I don't trust them, its just something I cant even explain. The idea of someone knowing something very personal about me just makes me feel uneasy. It takes a lot to get me to open out. But at the same time we weren't made to hold everything in and deal with it on our own, that is why friendship is such an important part of life. 

     I have realized lately how much value people who are genuine and thoughtful. People who freely give and never demand anything in return. People who are willing to listen and accept criticism and at the same time provide constructive criticism when necessary. Over the past few weeks, I have been feeling a little burnt out and going through a rough patch health wise and at times unmotivated and on days like that a simple, thoughtful gesture has been all that I needed to turn my day around. I value those little things so much. Its the people who can simply sit with me and drink a cup of coffee while I vent; or those people who show up at my work with some chocolate and a hug, letting me know they are thinking about me; or coming home to flowers at my doorstep; or taking a nice evening walk on the beach together. Its nothing extravagant, just a little tlc.

     At the end of our conversation earlier today, we realized that we couldn't answer our own question, and I still don't know where it is a person goes to find genuine people. Its hard to find these people but I know they are out there. By sheer grace, last year 4 amazing ladies were placed on my residence hall and they have become a significant part of my life. That being said, I would like to meet more people like that. People who are selfless and open, people who can listen but also share, people who are willing to try new things and see new places. People with an open heart and open mind. People who can admit their faults and failures but strive for improvement. People of good character and good morals. And lastly, people who simply care. These people are one in a million, but I would rather know one genuine person, then a million fake ones.