Digital Voices

Carley’s “This I Believe” podcast

All Season Friends

by Carley

Everyday, I am surrounded by the people that I choose to be around. These people are called my “friends”. My “friends” are the people I hang out with on the weekend, and the people I call when I need to talk. But over the last couple of years, I have started to look at my “friends” in a different light. I realized that not all of my friends were there when I needed them, or only wanted to talk, when they wanted to talk about themselves. These friends are conditional friends, and because of these types of friends I have realized that they are not the type of friends I want. This is why I now believe in the value of all-season friends.

Conditional friends may seem like they are your best friend, especially when you first start the relationship. But these people are a lot different then the people you see as real friends. They are only there for you through the good times. Conditional friends like to talk about themselves, and as soon as you start to talk about your problems, they make it into their own. When you are in a tough situation, they will save themselves, before they ever try to defend you. They could stop being friends with you at anytime, for any reason, and it wouldn’t be a big deal. But don’t worry; I have noticed this type of “friend” will only stick around for a short amount of time, and then they will move on and find someone else they can use.

All-season friends are the opposite of conditional friends. They will be there for you, no matter what. They will listen to your problems, and if you are a true friend, you will listen to theirs. When you are arguing with someone else, they will stick up for you no matter what. Also, through good and bad, they will stand by your side and support you. But the most important thing is, true friends will also be your friend, even if you don’t spend all your time with them. They are the person you know you can call when you are upset, and they will always have their shoulder for you to cry on.

About Carley:

Carley is a senior at Charlotte High School. She is involved in many activities, and is excited to go to Michigan State University this fall. Leaving her home town, and starting her own life somewhere else, will present many new opportunities.

Podcasting is a new and useful way, to get out information. I think that it really helps to be able to actually hear what is on the page, rather than just read it. Also, it is easier to see and understand when you can see what the person, looks, or acts like.

I listened to a lot of “This I Believe” essays, about life. I selected those pieces, because I like to see what views people have about life. These essays are things that people are really passionate about and things that they live their life by.

A lot of the speeches talked started with a story of why they believed this. Some also started with what they actually believed. The thing that was interesting about the beginnings was showing you how they came to these conclusions, rather than just saying I believe this just because.

Podcasting is a new and useful way, to get out information. I think that it really helps to be able to actually hear what is on the page, rather than just read it. Also, it is easier to see and understand when you can see what the person, looks, or acts like.

I listened to a lot of “This I Believe” essays, about life. I selected those pieces, because I like to see what views people have about life. These essays are things that people are really passionate about and things that they live their life by.

A lot of the speeches talked started with a story of why they believed this. Some also started with what they actually believed. The thing that was interesting about the beginnings was showing you how they came to these conclusions, rather than just saying I believe this just because.