The giG, It’s a Girl Thing Volume 1

But most importantly, to take the first step and help you unveil from the masks we’ve all been wearing for far too long, so that we may finally feel free to embrace who God created us to be, because, you girlfriend, are amazing!

There are all different kinds of friendships, just like there are many types of shoes. All are simply fabulous, some are comfortable, and casual, others are distinguished, chic & sophisticated, can’t have a party without the whimsical and fun, as well as the classic traditional type, and always the exciting ethnic, bohemian flavored one too. In addition, you know that some shoes can be worn all day, and some, only for a limited time. Some shoe styles come and go, while others, even if they get a lil’ old, we can never imagine living without them, they have become a part of us. And OMG! We love them all! But the reality is that we can’t expect one pair to work for every occasion, right? Like friends, some are here for a season; good friends are here for a reason, and true friends are here for a lifetime. I am confident that you will be inspired to develop better friendships.

Talking about friends and shoes is always exciting! There is always room to enhance our knowledge on becoming better BFF’s beautiful, fabulous friends! And it’s fantastic to hear where the shoe sales are going on!!

We love friends because we enjoy spending girlfriend time drinking coffee or maybe a Tamarindo Martini, with lime and tajin around the glass, yummy! We need friends to talk about issues we completely understand and share alike. Whether it’s about life’s important matters, such as marriage, a health situation, our children, or other stressful stuffs, that only with true friends can we have the freedom to discuss with, though many friends relate, only a few of us dare to open up. We need each other to laugh or cry and talk about subjects all too familiar such as; the unwanted, but inevitable losses of gravity our bodies endure as get older. Unless you’re like my friend Liza, whose body is very close to perfect, everything is right where it supposed to be, unlike me, who is still looking for “butt-bras (someone should invent them) We get it! Luckily, friends inform us and share with us the adjusting process of new changes especially as we enter motherhood, or we age.

For instance, I refuse to accept these kinda squishy, sort of round things that pop out, when I zip up my pants, which are located in the middle of where my waist used to be, oh yes, they have a name, muffin tops. My sister in law, Andrea recently asked me, “What is that? As she pointed to her “muffin top”, and then added, “That was never there before, when, and how did these get here? All I could say to her was, it’s time I introduce you to my newest friend, Andrea, meet SPANX!

There are many shoes to pick from, and they are all great. The key is to learn to identify which pair is most suitable for specific occasions. An important factor to understand is that each one has a different role, a very significant one. If you go jogging, you are not going to wear your pumps, right? Not your wedges either, I don’t care how comfortable they are. No one shoe is more important than the other, they are just different. Like the girlfriends in our lives.

So let’s hear the different shoe types, and see if you can identify which one you are ... Are you a classic pump, most likely in either black or nude color, with a medium heel? Maybe you are a high heel, whimsical, colorful fun shoe with different fabric, leather or combination of various textures? Or are you a reliable wedge, stylish, yet not too crazy, and can be worn all day? What about the super cute flat, which exudes comfort? Could you possibly be the fantastic high, platform stiletto, which looks amazing but can only be worn for a limited time? Are you a sandal? How about a relaxed sneaker? No doubt, one of you is an ethnic, adventurous, natural, with a touch of exotic flavors? No one can go wrong with a classy, chic, heel, which emanates a professional and sophisticated look … So many kinds of shoes, so many incredibly wonderful friends.

Our personality can sometimes be more in attuned with certain types, but in no way does this mean we Ok, so this is where I get a bit passionate about expressing what “true friendship” means to me. With good friends, NO MASK IS REQUIRED; but at this point and in this kind of true friendship, there is NO MASK ALLOWED! It’s genuine. It’s about total freedom. Can’t be friends with those who are combat boots as well!

“True friends” challenge you, “true friends” are genuinely happy for you achievements; there is no jealousy and they will never be threatened by whatever good thing that happens in your life. If anything it’s entirely the contrary, they celebrate with you all your victories, and stand by you when you’ve been defeated. They encourage you to pursue your dreams, they believe in you. “True friends” will tell you what you need to hear, as oppose to what you want to hear. They know when you are withholding something, and can discern an appropriate time to help you open up; otherwise, they respect if you rather not say anything at that moment, but a friend knows there is a good reason for their silence. True friends don’t question your motives; they trust you. They are cheerleaders for your endeavors.

Your “true friends” are genuinely concerned for your family’s well-being. They laugh with you, and cry with you. “True friends” listen; and always see the good in you. You are a better person because of them. GiG, (girlfriends in God) can easily raise your spirits. They’ve traveled through journeys of healing, seen your scars. (Plastic surgery included) Make no mistake if there is any miscommunication, or misinterpretation between you, and/or with mutual friends, “true friends” will always have the friendships’ best interest at heart, and will help make the situation better. “True friends” protect friendships. Trust, authenticity, loyalty, honesty, open communication, forgiveness, are non-negotiable in true friendships; but above all, LOVE is what holds it together. And God is love!

I have always been surrounded by many friends, it wasn’t until I reached forty (puberty I guess) that things in the friendship department changed. I had never experienced friendship break-ups, and it was not exactly easy to handle. I was broken hearted and felt lost without my BFF’s. It was difficult to grasp how this was happening at this time in my life; experiencing friend trouble, was something I had only heard about.

My biggest mistakes have been from reacting impulsively, I can speak so fast I say things that “could-a- or should-a” been said differently, and maybe even refrained from saying anything at all. I am also aware how my actions can seem manipulative (and at times, I probably have been) I can’t and won’t justify manipulation. The Pastor’s message just a few weeks ago, said, manipulation is to get others to do things for your own gain; on the other hand he said, influencing others is for someone else’s benefit. I wanted to influence others, so we could do things for people in need, but apparently I manipulated instead. I can honestly tell you, the reason behind it, has always been to get others to get off their toosh and do something, to help someone in need. Does it make it right? No.