HAPPY NATIONAL GIRLFRIENDS DAY! 20 WAYS TO CELEBRATE YOUR DEAREST FRIENDS

I recently signed up for a National Days e-alerts. Fun nudges for conversations, Facebook challenge, quick tweet, etc. (Esp. if it's something yummy to nibble.)

Today, I wanted to do more than a offer a mere nod and jaunty wave. Why?

It's National Girlfriends Day in the U.S.! Whoopee! So, I want to take a few moments to honor and celebrate the joy of gal pals - around the world - over the years!

What a gift to find kindred spirits in this big ole world who "get" you, isn't it? Spirits who are there in the good and bad times and are always in your corner rooting for you to live boldly and shine your light ever brighter.

What are the odds a chance encounter in school, at a conference, on an airplane, in a line, or somewhere totally random might turn into a rich, nourishing friendship? Maybe for a lifetime! I treasure the almost other-worldly synchronicity of some global friendships. You too?

How about those gal friends who thoughtfully chose a card with just the right image or words and then added a warm note before winging it off? (Especially today when a greeting card can seem archaic.) But what a treat to receive one, right? Just when it's most needed! Gotta be some ESP at play.. (I'm especially thinking of your creative generosity, dear Janie Bluestein, Cyndy Griffith, Mary Fabry, and Linda Yemoto!)

So, how will YOU celebrate your remarkable, unforgettable girlfriends who:

• Hold big vision of all you can be - even when you might not hold it yourself

• Make you laugh til you cry, spit out your bevie, or both

• Spark your creative, whimsical, nonsensical side

• Walk alongside you in uncertain, puzzling, stuck, or scary times

• Have your back - even when you might not think it's worth having at times

• Celebrate right along with you at life's highest, most joyful points

• See past silly little quibble that could be magnified to tear friendship apart

• Keep a confidence when asked

• Encourage your craziest ideas and dreams - even if they think you're nuts

• Cry with you at deepest heartbreaks, tragedies, shocks, and losses

• Hold you up in their prayers - to be all you can be every single day

• Just love you for being you with all your foibles, oopsie-daisies, and fa-la-las

So, on this special Girlfriends Day, how will YOU celebrate:

• Friends who might float away for awhile due to life's ups and downs, but who come back stronger and more beloved than ever! As if no time had passed...

• Those friends, who just the thought of them as you read this post, make you smile or tear up about a special moment in time.

• Friends who might no longer be with you or friends there at a special time when their presence was most needed, but who moved on - in life or death.

How will YOU honor YOUR sacred female friends today?

• Ring one or more up and shout HAPPY NATIONAL GIRLFRIENDS DAY

• Say a prayer for your friend's or friends' highest well-being

• Greet them in an unexpected way on social media

• Find cute card, dash off note, and tell them you're sending it on Girlfriends Day

• Strive to become a better friend (more attentive, present, timely, or caring)

• Make a treat or meal for a shut-in friend and drop by for a visit

• Start tradition of doing something special on this day with your local gal pals

• Add importance of friendship to current project (like my Organic Puppet Theatre)

• Thank God for all the great friends in your life over the years - and for new friends who will come into your life - some in most unexpected ways

• Send special friend a simple list of all the ways she's been there for you - with heartfelt thanks and what each one meant to you

• Add new friend to circle - co-worker, classmate, or someone new to your area

• Reach out to a friend you've lost touch with (school chum, pen pal, etc.)

• Invite potential friend out for coffee, hike, art show stroll, etc.

• Reflect on gift of a late, beloved friend/friends and light a candle in memory

• Book a trip to visit dear friend who moved away or meet half-way

• Journal about what each friend means and brings to your life

• Dream up something totally off-the-wall and uniquely suited to that very special friend - as only YOU can do - and then do it!

So, make it a grand National Girlfriends Day - wherever you are! And the biggest, most sincere thank you to all my far-flung friends - from the bottom of my heart and beyond!

For all you have been, are today, and hopefully will be - for a very long time to come.

You mean more than you'll ever know. . .

Now, go honor, toast, appreciate, and celebrate with YOUR cherished girlfriends today!

[So many fun photos over the years, to choose from as I considered an image for this post. So many faces and memories made. For now, an oldie but goodie. Three ole pals on a Seattle balcony. Cyn (middle) revels in CO mountains, Beth (right) happily works on health projects in Malawi, and I'm still savoring lakes and loons of MN. Photo by Linda Sorenson ]

---

Linda Sorenson helps people, projects, and causes make a positive impact. As a writer, editor, and consultant, she draws on her unique global experiences at pivotal moments in time to make a joyful difference through all she creates. Puppets, songs, and active fun of her Organic Puppet Theatre: Health Activities Book workshops, shows, camps, etc. have helped 20,000+ young children value their bodies and get healthier and more active around the world Learn more at her website and then connect with her. Take flight together today!

#girlfriends