Article: Although it's okay to share your own experiences if you think they will convey empathy or help your friend, you should keep the focus squarely on the friend, not you. So resist the urge to regale them with stories about how you went through something worse. Don't try to one up them on their problems by throwing in your own problem. Maybe you are being stalked at night by a killer clown wearing sunglasses. But this is the time to be focusing on your friend's problem like their spouse or career or whatever they are going through.. That doesn't mean you can't find common ground by reminding them of a personal experience you had that was somewhat similar and that you overcame. But resist the urge to imply you know exactly how they feel because every situation is unique, and keep your own stories to a minimum. We've all heard such cliches: "I understand how you feel" (even though you really don't) or "it could be worse" when they feel absolutely awful. Instead of cliches, speak from the heart in a way that is individual to their experience. Friendship is all about knowing how to use honesty effectively. When a friend is going through a hard time, you have to evaluate the situation and process through your own personal view. Put yourself in your friend's place, and feel the emotions they are going through. Say you are sorry for them, and let them express their feelings wholly. Avoid cliched advice for situations, as they might think you don't really care and might become sadder. Be realistic. Don't say "it's okay" if it's really not. Instead, offer inspiration. Reprimanding friends by saying things like "I told you you should have done this sooner" or "how many times did I tell you that?" is going to make them hurt more. By the time the conversation is over, you would be sorry you said anything. If a friend is repeating a negative pattern, you can quietly point this out by offering positive suggestions for how they can make a change rather than framing the point in blaming, negative language. Don't be judgmental. That's the bottom line. It won't help, and it's not the time. Save the deep talk about how they did x, y, or z wrong for after they are out of the crisis moment. They need to be consoled when things have gone terribly wrong, not be made to feel worse. Do not say mean things to them like "I told you so" or "this is your fault." Picture this. You are "Lindsay's" best friend, and her parents are getting a divorce. You should be there to let her sob on your shoulder, spill her problems, or make her happy. But... She might also want some alone time. Make her a little care package, with movies, sweets, and things to make her laugh. Be a good friend, and help her through this hardship as you would want her to do for you Provide ways your friend can get through the hardship, as well as emotional encouragement. Help them see the positives that still remain in their life. Remind the friend that they don't deserve whatever happened to them. Try to do something, if possible, that would actually change the hardship your friend is facing. If you can't find anything to do, try putting effort in and do something else helpful for your friend. For example, maybe they're too distraught to make dinner. Bring them over a plate of food. Offer to babysit their kids things like that. Although you should offer constructive solutions, ultimately they need to make their own decisions about what to do. Let them draw their own conclusions and make their own decisions. Showing your genuine support will be the key here. Talk practical, never guide them if you aren't sure. Your overarching goal should be to listen, while occasionally providing constructive and positive solutions, advice or suggestions. You could provide all three if you are a particularly close friend. A good friend offers guidance and suggestions, while recognizing that the friend, even though they are close to you, may not be ready to accept your support. Ultimately people need to work through things bad relationships, financial worry, a death, you name it on their own time. Understand and accept that your actions might not yield your expected results always. As a supporter, you should not be disappointed or discouraged by this. Do help them try to identify the causes of their problems and pinpoint possible remedies for them. Use your experience, instincts, and other peoples' advice. Say "this is your life and you should do what you decide is best. But don't you think that ____ will lead to ___? Maybe you can ___? It's up to you though" instead of "that's an awful idea, you should ___".
Question: What is a summary of what this article is about?
Keep it about them, not you. Watch cliches that sound trite and don't really help. Stay positive at all times, and can the negativity. Offer solutions to them so they can improve their problems. Accept that the friend might not listen.
Article: Using a food scale, weigh-out two-to-three grams of tobacco and place it aside. The exact amount of tobacco required will depend on the size of the wrap and personal preference, but three-grams is the average. Many smokers prefer a slower burning cigarillo. To roll a cigarillo that burns slower, use more tobacco and pack it densely. Be sure to place the wrap down so that it's curl faces upward. This curl will help hold the tobacco in place while you roll. If the wrap lies flat, you can curl it yourself using a pencil or pen.
Question: What is a summary of what this article is about?
Prepare your tobacco. Place the wrap on a flat and stable surface.
Article: You can use a ruler or a template you downloaded online to create matching triangle shapes. You can go for any type of triangle shape you want. You can have three even sides or have one or two sides longer or shorter. Trace your triangle shape onto a piece of cardboard. Use a ruler to keep the lines straight. Carefully cut out your triangle shape, going slowly to keep all lines neat and straight. Place your cardboard triangle on the backside of your leather. Use a fabric pen to trace out two triangle shapes. Carefully cut around the shapes you drew. You should be left with two pieces of leather of equal sizes, shaped like a triangle. On the front side of your leather, draw a geometrical shape using your gold paint pen. The shape you draw is up to you. You can look up patterns online or simply make up your own shape. Geometrical shapes include things like intersecting lines, rectangles, and squares. Try drawing a variety of straight lines criss-crossing and intersecting throughout both triangle. You can use a ruler if necessary to keep your lines straight. You can draw the same design on each earring or have a slightly different design on each earring. Choose a single corner of one triable to punch a hole. Use the smallest hole puncher possible, as you don't need a large hole to fit the earring hook through. Punch another hole in the same corner on your other triangle. You will have to undo the hook at the end of the earring hook using pliers or your fingers. Fit the hook through the holes you punched. Then, tightly re-seal the hook using your fingers or pliers. Your earrings are now complete. Make sure you close the hooks completely. Otherwise, your earrings may slip off and get lost.
Question: What is a summary of what this article is about?
Use cardboard to make a triangle shape. Cut two matching triangle shapes out of black leather. Use a gold paint pen to draw a geometrical pattern. Punch a hole through the tip of each triangle. Fit an earring hook through the hole.