BIRDS OF A FEATHER
I just saw it again somewhere here in Friendster - the phrase "birds of a feather," and since I’ve got this rare long weekend with absolutely nothing to do, I decided to take stock of what kind of friends I’ve got and the things they have in common — despite the fact that they do come from different backgrounds and even generations.
Lemme see… If you’re a friend, you’re likely to find many of these descriptions fit:
A GENIUS. There are two kinds.
Creative geniuses. I’ve a lot of friends who have exceptional talents, many in writing and in art. Fascinating people who can bring to life whatever they imagine. They stimulate and move me in ways that others can’t. The "wow" factor when I see some of their highly inspired outputs is literally a breath of fresh life into me. Sometimes, there is no wow moment, instead they make me quietly wander back into a vital part inside of me that I sometimes lose connection with, and it could be painful, sublime and meaningful.
Left-brain geniuses. Friends who are so admirably intelligent in a logical and practical way, some are even Mensa members. I think we’re friends coz we balance each other out. Only these friends can hit me with a good dose of reason to get my mind organized when It’s on a schizo mode, ready to self-destruct… when different thoughts are at war with one another and strong conflicting emotions are pulling me apart. Friends I can count on to be there when I need to grapple with some baffling math or science "phenomenon" or painstakingly teach me what I need to know about those geeky, computer and mechanical stuff that my mind tends to shun. I think to many of them, I’ve become an amusing and tolerable menace that could every so often break the monotony of their so logical brain patterns. 
BORN IN THE STUBBORN SIGNS. I don’t know why I’m so drawn to SCORPIO, LEO, TAURUS and AQUARIUS people — they’re so difficult at times! Yet, often, it’s an instant affinity, I can smell them from afar. No wonder, even my daughter Kim and partner Reinier are Leos; Kitkat is Taurus, and my ex-husband is Aquarius. And, I just have had countless Scorpio friends and lovers. Even at work, I tend to work best with people under these signs. Yes, they’re difficult but I can’t help but admire the strength of their will and can do-will do spirit.
"ASTIG." That’s the only way to describe friends who have inner strength. Some of my friends have gone through quite challenging life experiences but they have the resilience and the ability to stay in control of their lives. I find that friends of mine who were weak had faded away from my life, and I’m sure that the few who are still in my life will fade away, too, sooner or later. Maybe because I tend to have such a short patience for whiners and doormats. At times, I do feel guilty that I am not able to respond to the kind of nurturing and protection that these people need, but I always comfort myself by saying that I have to be me. While some may have the knack for it, I simply find it too exhausting to help people who don’t like to help themselves… or those who are like sponges that absorb all you have and can only give back what had come from you in the first place. You can’t even share your own problems with them for they’re so weak and vulnerable, they won’t be able to handle your pain on top of theirs. But, I’ve rambled on… :) I think my guilt slip showed.
UNUSUAL. Strange, odd, one-of-a-kind people who are not afraid to go against the norm. People who don’t negatively judge other people simply because their ways are different. People who live and let live, and are open to the many possibilities of life. I enjoy listening to their stories — they’d beat characters in movies or books any time. Most of my friends could be placed at the two extreme ends of a pole measuring overall normalcy or normalcy in specific areas. For instance, I’ve got friends who are sex maniacs — they can never have enough of sex, and friends who are self-confessed freezers, they’d rather not have sex at all. I like having these extreme friends — among them, I’d probably be the only one normal. Oops! I hear violent objections — well, don’t mind me, I’ve long ago been confused by what is normal and what is abnormal, I’ve decided they’re interchangeable.
WITH A THIRD EYE. Oh, yes, I’ve got a lot of psychic friends — friends who scare and captivate me at the same time with their tales of some kind of strange encounter or who make me feel paranoid that they might be accessing some secret places in my mind. I don’t seek to have this kind of friends but there seem to be an abundance of them around me — and how can I resist them, when I’ve a soft spot for the bizarre.
SPIRITUAL AND CARING. I like people who believe in God or some higher being, and many of my friends do. Life just makes more sense and holds more meaning when seen relative to something permanent and eternal, so these friends give my life a positive boost of hope, optimism and idealism. Yes, a few of my friends are not religious, a few may not even believe in God or they may have some strange concepts of God, but they’re godly people with big hearts, nevertheless, willing to help those who are really helpless or in need — just inherently good people.
RESPONSIBLE; EXCELLENT IN CHOSEN FIELD. Industrious people who bear their personal and professional responsibilities well, many times delivering more than their share. Self-driven and proud, they don’t like bogging others down or being a burden. In fact, many are household heads or family providers even when single. Many take pride and pleasure in churning quality outputs. Sometimes, ambition propels them to the top. Sometimes, reaching the top is an accidental result of being faithful to personal standards and ethics.
WITH A SENSE OF HUMOR. Despite being highly responsible, many of my friends can be playful and can let loose and have fun. People who don’t take themselves too seriously, who often see the bright or entertaining side of many situations… people with wit who can make me laugh. I’m so blessed with friends like this.
And, finally, PASSIONATE. Those with a zest for life, who know how to live and not just exist, with a passion for something. I believe that these people’s energy joins the powerful energy of the one common universe of humanity, and keeps it going. To the perennial question of what makes the world go round, we’ve heard that money and love are the two top answers. Money or love? There really is no conflict there. It’s passion — whether that be a passion for money or fame or signature labels or love or sex — it doesn’t matter. The grand passion for life or something in life makes the world go round.
I think more than half of these descriptions apply to me, as well, so yes, maybe it’s true. Birds of a feather do flock together. Despite the diversity of friends that we can have now, like never before, because of the time- and space-breaking wonders of technology, we’re still drawn to what others might call our "soul mates."
