A good friend can be your best weapon against life’s challenges. A good friend is there for you when you need it and prioritizes you when plans are made. Some of you really need to hear this one. The world is in a shortage of good friendships. How many times have you heard someone in your life or maybe even heard yourself saying “They flaked on me again?” How many times have you heard someone you know talk about a friend that let them down when they really needed it? It happens far more often than we like to admit.
Life is a challenge. Every part of it can be draining. This is why friendships are so important. It’s been said before, but you are the sum total of your 5 closest friends. What kind of people are you surrounding yourself with? Are your friends pushing you to be the best that you can be? Are they supporting your ambitions, ideas and goals? Are they helping you achieve them? Or are your friends shooting down your ideas? Are they only telling you the negative obstacles in your way of reaching your goals? Are they dealing doubt in your mind about your worth or capabilities? Take a moment to sit and think about your closest friends. What kind of people have you latched on to in your life and why?
If you are the sum total of your 5 best friends, are you surrounding yourself with friends that are pushing themselves to be better? Or are your friends settling for second best? These are important questions to ask, and it can be difficult to hear the be honest about the answers. The truth is this- you deserve to chase your dreams and make them happen. You deserve happiness and stability. You deserve to be told your worth and have your worth seen by the people around you and if those are not your friends right now then maybe it’s time to think about the people in your life.
Once you have asked yourself what kind of friends you have, you should also ask “what kind of a friend am I?” Are you the kind of friend that prioritizes the people in your life when they need it? Are you supportive of your friend’s ambitions? Are you encouraging your friends to continue to grow? It might be time for you to practice being the kind of friend that you want to have in your life.
Are your friends there for you sometimes or do they always have your back? Life is too short to waste your time on “Sometime-y people.” When you get the right people in your corner, anything is possible. Just watch.
It all starts with you.
