Last night was our “family dinner”. It’s something my girlfriends and I do every month or every other month. The five of us get together, eat and talk the entire time. It’s amazing the support my girlfriends provide. They are truly like family.
I’ve learned a lot about friendships lately. They require time and energy to thrive. What matters most is the friend that you are to others, not how your friends are to you. I’ve spent time in the past feeling frustrated that I give, give, give in certain relationships when I don’t feel like I receive the same type of treatment in return. That’s not how it goes. Remember one of my commandments? Give without limits and without expectations. I’ve been so much happier being the kind of friend that I want to be instead of worrying if I am getting that same treatment in return.
I’ve also learned the importance of being a trustworthy friend. I am happy that I can be trusted and that friends come to me when they need to talk. It gets harder to keep up friendships as we get older. Life gets busy and it’s not as easy to see each other. My friend and I talked about this the other day and I think a phone call, an email or even a good old fashion letter in the mail are a nice way to connect. Any of those will make your friend smile. So go on, make someone’s day by reaching out!
“Don’t walk in front of me, I may not follow.
Don’t walk behind me, I may not lead.
Walk beside me and be my friend.”
– Albert Camus
