That's What Friends Are For!

Lessons!  I love them; I believe that life is used to teach us…  The experiences we have whether good or bad should be used to grow.

I have found that I learn the most lessons from the experiences of others. I’ve been fortunate enough to have open and honest friends who I talk to on a regular basis.  I’ve recently tried to make my experiences mean something.  Meaningless interaction is for the birds!  No one wants to feel alone… Having great friends who you can be completely “you” with, is not only comforting but extremely necessary...

I recently had a heart-to-heart conversation with a very good friend of mine and it got REAL.  I had to make the decision on how/where this completely necessary conversation was going to go.  As a friend I had to make the decision to be completely honest (whether it helped or hurt my friend) because I needed to!  We all know that the grass is always greener on the other side but sometimes we need a little help smelling the roses that we have!

As a single woman I have been forced to find contentment.  I have real friends who are falling in love, getting married, buying homes and having babies all around me!  I have challenged myself as a person who has none of this to be happy for them as well as be hopeful for myself.  As friends we sometimes have to separate our personal struggles in order to be “there” for our loved ones.  I personally know how hard it is to force yourself to be happy for someone (especially a close friend) who has what you feel is SUPPOSED to be yours.

Not so long ago, I was the mean friend; I actually closed off and completely lost “my character.”  I didn’t want to hear about my friend’s joys and victories because I didn’t have any of my own. 

What kind of friend are you?

Is your friendship conditional?

Are you only happy for others when you are happy?

I had to make a personal decision to slap myself in the face and make the decision to be better for my friends.  As a friend I don’t feel like I was being completely “there” for them when I checked out…  I would want my friends to be present through the good times as well as the bad.  So, even when I want to kick and scream, be angry, jealous, run away or cry… I SUCK IT UP because I would want them to do the same for me. 

Think about the type of friend you are and whether you are being the type of friend you would want to have in your life.  It goes back to the saying, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you…” Be happy for your friends and be happy in your life!  The lesson I’ve learned is sometimes you have put the feelings of your loved ones in front of your own.

Single, married, in love or not be grateful for what you’ve got! And soon enough your friends will be there to support you as you go through your next GREAT CHANGE!

Table for One please… Living unselfishly… Love me or leave me alone…

BACK TO HAPPY TIP: I know I’ve said that it’s ok to be selfish, however it’s a much greater service to be selfless… Especially for your loved ones…