“Friendship doubles our joy and divides our grief.” — Swedish Proverb

On the surface this may not seem remarkably different from last week’s theme but in practice it is intended to be. This week it is important to choose someone who is close to you in the present, someone you see on a regular basis. This need not be a family member, but it also can be. In all cases, choose someone you already know well, someone with whom you’ve gotten along well over time AND someone with whom you’ve been annoyed. This should be a person in your life who has seen you at your best and at your worst, someone with whom your friendship has stood the test of time. This is what I mean by “a good friend.”

Begin the week by simply considering the friend you’ve chosen for a few minutes a day on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Do nothing more than this, just taking the time to think about your friend. Allow your thoughts to carry you where they will. If they drift from your friend, bring them back. Then, through this consideration, allow an idea for a kind action you can do for your friend to surface. As is true each week, this need not be anything “big.” It is important that it be simple and mindful.

Having decided on your action, complete it. If you are inclined, summarize it for the rest of us in the comments section below, keeping your summary concise yet complete.