Advice

Friendly Advice on Friendship

• Be a good listener.

• Remember birthdays and other special events.

• Learn things about your friends, such as where they were born, what their middle name is, and what they love to eat.

• Offer to help your friends with things such as household chores, homework, or tending their brothers or sisters. These tasks are always more fun when done with a friend.

• When your friends are ill, call them or write a get-well card so they know you’re thinking of them.

• Remember important events, such as competitions or performances. Plan to be a part of the event, by either attending or dropping off a note of encouragement.

• Don’t gossip about other people with your friends. That way, they’ll know you won’t gossip about them when they’re not there.

• Speak highly of your friends when talking to others.

• Make sure your conversations aren’t always centered on you.

• Be sympathetic to their problems.

• When they offend you, confront them about it in a sincere, kind way. They’ll appreciate your honesty. At the same time, don’t take offense too easily or hold a grudge.

• Have other interests and other friends. There can sometimes be too much of a good thing—and too much of a good friend.

• Competition is common among friends. And while a little may be healthy, too much can end a friendship. Be careful that you don’t get caught up in outdoing each other.

• Love your friends for who they are, not who they know or what they own.

• Respect your friends’ privacy and trust. If they confide in you, keep it to yourself.

• Give genuine compliments freely.

• Pray that you’ll be a better friend.

• Live your life in a way that will cause your friends to thank Heavenly Father for having a friend like you

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A Note from Michael

by Camielle Call-Tarbet

My life changed in seconds. I determined that no one in our family would ever feel that way again.

Camielle Call-Tarbet, “A Note from Michael,” New Era, June 1998, 17

I’m not sure just why my mom decided to show me the note that afternoon. I was a junior in high school living with my family in the lush green countryside of Michigan. The oldest of six children, I couldn’t wait to graduate and move out on my own. I was tired of having to be the example and baby-sit my siblings whenever my parents wanted to go out.

Perhaps my mother knew, somehow, that sharing the note from Michael was the best thing she could have done for me that day. I arrived home from school earlier than my three brothers and two sisters. I confess I rolled my eyes when the first thing my mom said to me was, “Come here, Camielle. I want to show you something.”

I followed her into my brother’s room, where she picked up a note from his pillow. In his 11-year-old scrawl, Michael had written, “I’m not coming home today. I’m not part of this family.”

I could feel the burning of tears from somewhere deep in my heart spill over onto my 17-year-old cheeks. Mom said, “Let’s go pick him up from school today.”

I was too choked up to say anything. My life had changed in a matter of seconds. I nodded to my mother and thought to myself, No one in our family will ever feel this way again.

We got to the elementary school just as the classes were being dismissed. Michael came out of his class and was a little surprised to see us, but happy we were there. He never said a word about his note. He never wrote another one.

I left home after graduating from high school, but Michael and I became the best of friends despite the sometimes thousands of miles between us. The day I saw the note from Michael was the day my spirituality and humanity came together. None other is more cherished than those we call “family.”

BACK

These suggestions along with a Stake Dance Playlist

can be found at Christy's Clipart.com

Be sure the song does not use crude, profane or inappropriate language or undertones. Even if a word is bleeped out, the people dancing or listening to the song will know what is being said or implied.

Be sure the song does not support activities that we have been taught are wrong. For example, the popular song, "Follow Me" is about leading a woman into an adulterous affair, and Nickleback's "How You Remind Me" mentions a drinking binge. Other topics would include unmarried sex, word of wisdom, etc. If you are not sure about a song, use the "For the Strength of Youth" standards as your guide

. A song should not reflect depression, suicidal thoughts, voilence, inappropriate behavior, or rebellion against parents or other authorities.

A song should be DANCABLE! Just because a song is appropriate and popular, doesn't mean you can dance to it! Remember the dance factor, be it fast or slow.

A song should be approved by the dance committee or Stake youth leader before being played. There have been many occasions where people have brought in their own music and asked to have a certain song played. Usually, if you tell them the following, they will leave you alone: 1. If the song you want isn't on the play list, I can't play it. 2. Have the Stake President listen to it. If he says it's okay, I will play it. These approaches usually work. The best thing I have done is to convert all of my music to MP3 format, so I can bring my computer and honestly tell them that I can't play the song without digitizing it first. And, I can't do that and play the music at the same time... I LOVE TECHNOLOGY! ;o)

A song should not take away from the Spirit at an activity. This means some hard rock songs and some rap that are just too noisy or unintelligible to get anything out of it. Use your own discretion with this.

Listening to the lyrics is the biggest chore, and the best thing you can do for a Church activity. Making sure that music is appropriate and uplifting can make or break a dance. You can still have decent music and have fun at the same time!

Some classic standard songs for dances:

(These are songs that get the most participation)

Limbo Rock - Chubby Checker

Conga - Miami Sound Machine

The Bunny Hop

The Chicken Dance

YMCA - The Village People

Hokey Pokey - Ray Anthony

The Twist - Chubby Checker

Jump, Jive and Wail - Brian Setzer Orchestra

The Macarena

Electric Slide - Marcia Griffiths

Boot Scootin' Boogie - Brooks and Dunn

Cotton Eye Joe - Rednex

BACK


	Friendly Advice on Friendship • Be a good listener. • Remember birthdays and other special events. • Learn things about your friends, such as where they were born, what their middle name is, and what they love to eat. • Offer to help your friends with things such as household chores, homework, or tending their brothers or sisters. These tasks are always more fun when done with a friend. • When your friends are ill, call them or write a get-well card so they know you’re thinking of them. • Remember important events, such as competitions or performances. Plan to be a part of the event, by either attending or dropping off a note of encouragement. • Don’t gossip about other people with your friends. That way, they’ll know you won’t gossip about them when they’re not there. • Speak highly of your friends when talking to others. • Make sure your conversations aren’t always centered on you. • Be sympathetic to their problems. • When they offend you, confront them about it in a sincere, kind way. They’ll appreciate your honesty. At the same time, don’t take offense too easily or hold a grudge. • Have other interests and other friends. There can sometimes be too much of a good thing—and too much of a good friend. • Competition is common among friends. And while a little may be healthy, too much can end a friendship. Be careful that you don’t get caught up in outdoing each other. • Love your friends for who they are, not who they know or what they own. • Respect your friends’ privacy and trust. If they confide in you, keep it to yourself. • Give genuine compliments freely. • Pray that you’ll be a better friend. • Live your life in a way that will cause your friends to thank Heavenly Father for having a friend like you BACK A Note from Michael by Camielle Call-Tarbet My life changed in seconds. I determined that no one in our family would ever feel that way again. Camielle Call-Tarbet, “A Note from Michael,” New Era, June 1998, 17 I’m not sure just why my mom decided to show me the note that afternoon. I was a junior in high school living with my family in the lush green countryside of Michigan. The oldest of six children, I couldn’t wait to graduate and move out on my own. I was tired of having to be the example and baby-sit my siblings whenever my parents wanted to go out. Perhaps my mother knew, somehow, that sharing the note from Michael was the best thing she could have done for me that day. I arrived home from school earlier than my three brothers and two sisters. I confess I rolled my eyes when the first thing my mom said to me was, “Come here, Camielle. I want to show you something.” I followed her into my brother’s room, where she picked up a note from his pillow. In his 11-year-old scrawl, Michael had written, “I’m not coming home today. I’m not part of this family.” I could feel the burning of tears from somewhere deep in my heart spill over onto my 17-year-old cheeks. Mom said, “Let’s go pick him up from school today.” I was too choked up to say anything. My life had changed in a matter of seconds. I nodded to my mother and thought to myself, No one in our family will ever feel this way again. We got to the elementary school just as the classes were being dismissed. Michael came out of his class and was a little surprised to see us, but happy we were there. He never said a word about his note. He never wrote another one. I left home after graduating from high school, but Michael and I became the best of friends despite the sometimes thousands of miles between us. The day I saw the note from Michael was the day my spirituality and humanity came together. None other is more cherished than those we call “family.” BACK These suggestions along with a Stake Dance Playlist can be found at Christy's Clipart.com Be sure the song does not use crude, profane or inappropriate language or undertones. Even if a word is bleeped out, the people dancing or listening to the song will know what is being said or implied. Be sure the song does not support activities that we have been taught are wrong. For example, the popular song, "Follow Me" is about leading a woman into an adulterous affair, and Nickleback's "How You Remind Me" mentions a drinking binge. Other topics would include unmarried sex, word of wisdom, etc. If you are not sure about a song, use the "For the Strength of Youth" standards as your guide . A song should not reflect depression, suicidal thoughts, voilence, inappropriate behavior, or rebellion against parents or other authorities. A song should be DANCABLE! Just because a song is appropriate and popular, doesn't mean you can dance to it! Remember the dance factor, be it fast or slow. A song should be approved by the dance committee or Stake youth leader before being played. There have been many occasions where people have brought in their own music and asked to have a certain song played. Usually, if you tell them the following, they will leave you alone: 1. If the song you want isn't on the play list, I can't play it. 2. Have the Stake President listen to it. If he says it's okay, I will play it. These approaches usually work. The best thing I have done is to convert all of my music to MP3 format, so I can bring my computer and honestly tell them that I can't play the song without digitizing it first. And, I can't do that and play the music at the same time... I LOVE TECHNOLOGY! ;o) A song should not take away from the Spirit at an activity. This means some hard rock songs and some rap that are just too noisy or unintelligible to get anything out of it. Use your own discretion with this. Listening to the lyrics is the biggest chore, and the best thing you can do for a Church activity. Making sure that music is appropriate and uplifting can make or break a dance. You can still have decent music and have fun at the same time! Some classic standard songs for dances: (These are songs that get the most participation) Limbo Rock - Chubby Checker Conga - Miami Sound Machine The Bunny Hop The Chicken Dance YMCA - The Village People Hokey Pokey - Ray Anthony The Twist - Chubby Checker Jump, Jive and Wail - Brian Setzer Orchestra The Macarena Electric Slide - Marcia Griffiths Boot Scootin' Boogie - Brooks and Dunn Cotton Eye Joe - Rednex BACK