One thing that I have consistently noticed about myself when I am hanging out with someone that I feel very close to is that I not only listen to their stories and complaints, but I also tend to remember upcoming important dates and deadlines as they mention them. When the awaited day finally arrives, I like to send a little message wishing them good luck. Nothing matches that warm feeling I experience when they respond in an overwhelming humble way.
Sometimes I remember the date just by chance, and sometimes I plan on remembering important dates for other people. I have a very selfish reason for wishing luck to my friends and that is to show that I care. I am unapologetically vocal about how I feel about others and I don’t expect them to respond in the same way. When I know that my friends have been working hard for something important, I want them to know that I am acknowledging their hard work and I know that in the end everything will work out. Another reason for doing that is so that I can stay close to them. As weird as this sounds, I think that friendship is about being involved in each others lives from the big things to the smallest of situations. If texting you before a big assignment is one way to show you that you are someone that I consider close, then I will do that time and time again. If nothing else, my text to you might be a distraction that might otherwise bring a smile to your face and help you stay calm.
In this day and age where education comes with the pressure of always excelling, showing confidence and trust in others can give them the support necessary if they don’t do as well as they would have hoped. Sometimes my friends, and myself included, do poorly on an assignment that we were preparing well in advance for. Knowing that I have people who don’t measure my worth by my scores, and instead by my personality, means the world to me and I always want to be that person for someone else. At the end of the day, if you do poorly on something, I am not going to consider you any less of a scholar. For all I know, both our definitions of doing good can be very different—if you thought you did terribly, I am still going to think that you did the best you could.
Another reason I like to wish others well is because it gives me a reason to talk to them. Sometimes if we haven’t communicated in a while, sending a wish their way is my way of letting them know that I exist (but then again, isn’t this the point of all texts?). If me and the other person have gone a while without talking to each other, me wishing them is a way to subtly tell them that, although we both are busy with our personal lives, I haven’t forgotten about them. If the particular event is very monumental, I want that person to associate that moment with me. That sounds very narcissist, and I don’t care at all. If I am connected to a memory that means a lot to my friend, I will be grinning from ear to ear knowing that I made a difference.
When it does happen, being on the receiving end of these messages is another unique feeling. Getting small texts when I least expect it puts me in such high spirits and makes me feel so special. I usually go into my tests with a confidence and attitude that drives me to do my best. When I get these texts, I get this unusual sense of pride because I know that I am oddly representing my friends and their support. At that point, the success isn’t just mine; I am doing it for everyone who showed faith in me. Sometimes it feels rewarding to know that your mom isn't the only one who wants the best for you.
And of course, there are going to be those people who might question the motives of such messages and wonder how serious they are. Well let me tell you this--if you are going to sit there and scrutinize someone’s message no matter how disingenuous it may have been, well you might as well have been better off without it in the first place.
With that, I highly recommend picking up your phone and typing out “good luck” to your friends before a major assignment. Nowadays 99.9% of people have free texting anyways, so what’s holding you back? Let them know you care. Even though this is common knowledge, it's a good reminder that everyone likes feeling special once in a while.
Something this small always carries so much weight.
