How will I sleep tonight??? Tonight, I will go to sleep knowing I am a good, loyal, unconditionally loving and supportive friend. How will you sleep tonight? It has recently come to my attention that the word 'relationship' does not only apply to the established understanding between two lovers. "Relationship" applies to every established being of communication and knowing between yourself and those in your life. We call our relationships by different names. There is boyfriend, girlfriend, husband, wife, co-worker, parent, child and, of course, the most overused and devalued..."friend". So tonight, I focus on the 'relationship', and all it encompasses, of 'friendship'. Have you ever checked out my facebook? I publically admit, wrongfully no doubt, that I claim over 1,090 "friends". I know, it's laughable! Just an example of how misconstrued that word really is in our society. Do I call 1,090+ people for lunch dates? NO. Do 1,090 people call me or text me when I have a death in family? NO. Do over 1,000 people come to a birthday party for my child? NO. So why do I claim all these 'friends'? Mostly because I have a natural 'facebook stalker' mentality and I like to see how everyone else's life compares to mine. LOL jk....sort of. ;) I bring this point up because our generation throws the word 'friendship' around like a freaking ball! We can meet someone and 45 minutes later have access to thousands of photos of them, their job details, etc and we find this acceptable!
But when it comes down to a real friendship, facebook can't be the determinate of what is or is not valid and real. Here is my thought on it.... a friend knows what a p.t. is, a good friend shows up at your house with one if you send a text saying you may be late. A friend tells you that you're sweet, funny, pretty, etc. A good friend is TOLD that they are all of those things. A friend says 'sorry' when they hear about a loss in your family. A good friend sends flowers to the funeral with a card saying "in my thoughts". A friend shows up for the party. A good friend stays to help clean up. A friend celebrates with you. A good friend struggles with you. A friend doesn't speak badly to you. A good friend stands up for you when someone else does. The list conintues on and on. Anyone can be a 'friend' but it takes someone very special to be a good friend, and even more amazing to be a best friend. I think so many of us are alright with being just a 'friend' and never strive to establish a true 'good friendship' and miss out on all of the amazing benefits and love that can bloom from having a true, honest and loyal friendship.
As many of you know, I recently saw the true UGLY colors of a few of my 'friends' and have since had to cut them out of my life completely. At first, it was really upsetting, but as two of my girlfriends sat outside with me while I cried in utter disbelief, I was overwhelmed by the feeling of their silent support and unconditional love. It was because of Maggie and Vanessa's sincere concern for their "friend" (me) that made lossing the shallow friendships easy. They just loved me, embraced me, understood me and waited for me to ask for anything. They were there as servants to our friendship. It's how it should be and I know without a doubt in my mind that I would do the same for them.
So although the wound is still open, I am healing and with a new view on the importance of true friendship. I will sleep tonight knowing that I love my friendships with all of my heart, and that I would do anything for those who have made an impact on my soul. I can only pray that I have done the same them and that they are as thankful for me as I am for them. So rather than priding myself on my ability to claim thousands, I pride myself on being claimed by few. Much more rewarding in my book. I hope you all can sleep well tonight also and always remember that its not what you do that matters, it's how you impact those around you that does. Leave good impressions. Heal wounds when you can rather than cause them. And always find the simplicity of being a good person more attractive than the difficulties of being a nasty one. Good night 'friends'. MUCH LOVE.
