Friends have always been a valuable part of my life. The key is choosing people who understand what friendship really is. They are secure enough in themselves that they don’t have a massive ego, compete with you, or secretly wish you to fail. They enjoy your company, care about you, and pull for you. They don’t become annoyed when you succeed, rather, they cheer you on (and mean it!)
Sound like a tall order? Maybe. But that’s why friendships are so very important. I came across this quote from Edna Buchanan that sums it up:
“Friends are the family we choose for ourselves.”
― Edna Buchanan
Now, I know every family has its quirks and sometimes the members of a family don’t behave as they should. What a family should be is a safe place to be accepted and loved. Even if people argue and have a difference of opinion, they should still support one another and want the best for them.
It doesn’t always happen. Not in families and certainly not in friendships. I have a lot of friends that I’ve known a long time. That’s always a challenge, because people change. Your lives change. Friends get married, have kids, get divorced, get success, struggle… and more. But I’m thankful for the friendships that are true. They are a rare thing in life and I don’t take them for granted. The key to a great friendship is having two people who are mature in their life and understand what’s really important. When you have that, it truly is a gift.
