Friends: How Many of us Have them?

 

Have you ever done an inventory of your friends? Are you the type of person that once someone is your friend he or she is your friend for life? Do you feel like you have ever outgrown any of your friends? Maybe you were just going in opposite directions? Do you feel like some friends are only meant to be in your life for just a season? Can you relate to any of the questions I’ve just asked? Have you found yourself in any of these situations?

If you find yourself in that particular space you have to be able to advocate for yourself. You have to decide if it is a relationship that you want continue to foster. If you don’t speak up for yourself, you may find yourself turning bitter and then it may be too late to salvage the relationship.

It may be that one friend is married with children and the other friend is single so the dynamic of the relationship has shifted. In that situation it may not be that one friend was trying to neglect the other, it may just be that the priorities had to change. It could be that one friend is growing more spiritually whereas the other friend is not, so they don’t know how to create new boundaries to benefit them both. Maybe one friend moved away and now there is a “strain” on the relationship and a lack of communication by both parties. What happens when one friend may feel like they always “show support” but it is rarely reciprocated back. There are so many scenarios that can come into play as it relates to friendships but ultimately it is up to those involved to decide if the relationship is worth salvaging.

It is necessary to do an inventory of your friends. You may have to write down a list of your friends. Write down those friends who check on you, those friends who empower and encourage you, those friends who challenge you, and those friends who will check you when you are in the wrong.

You need friends who are not afraid to tell you what you need to hear. You need friends who are okay with not agreeing with you all the time. You need friends who will be there during times of truimph and victory, but you also need friends who will by your side during times of tragedy and loss.

You need friends who will support your business endeavors and achievements. You need friends who will celebrate your life moments as if it were their own. Now, after you do an inventory of your friends, make sure you turn the mirror around on yourself. It is important to be the type of friend to others that we expect them to be to us. Recognize what each friend can give you because you will not receive every quality/trait from every friend. Then take the time to see what you are able to give because depending on your level of relationship, you may need to provide different qualities to each of your friends.

At the end of the day life is short, so it is important to cherish your friendships. You never want to get to the point where you feel like you have to change who are; you may just have to change your circle.