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The Importance Of Friendship
dymond phillips • Jun 14, 2021
Having Great Friends Is The Key To Having An Amazing Life
One of my biggest problems growing up was friendship. If you don’t know, I’m the only child, so my friendship skills were not always the best. For years, I would cling to one friend, and when that one friend had other friends, I would fall back. I was always in girl drama, for having frenemies. I struggled with healthy friendships. I always held my friends to very high standards. One year for my birthday, I didn’t want to have family at my party, only friends. But none of my friends showed up, but my family was there. Today’s focus is not how I prioritize my family over my friends, that’s a story or another day. Today, I want to talk about why having good friendships is important.
I am an introvert, I love being alone. I go out to eat by myself, the movies by myself, I really enjoy being in my own presence. That doesn't mean I don’t love being around people too. If the pandemic didn’t teach you anything, it should have taught you, we need human interaction, no matter how old or young. I used to think, good friends are people you could hang out with, who didn’t ask you any personal questions. I had "friends" who didn't know the real me. Back in my teens, I had a lot of surface level friendships. It’s crazy because when I was a child, my grandfather tried to tell me that you can count your friends on your fingers, not including your thumbs. I thought he was crazy. I have many associates, some closer than others. I used to use the term friend so loosely, not anymore.
The power of friendship is huge. Back in 2019, I wanted to focus on my relationship building skills. It's so important to spend quality time building friendships, because healthy relationships are one of the keys to happiness. I watched one video and it said show me your friends and I’ll tell you your future. Back in the day, people always used to tell me, "You are who you hang around. Birds of a feather flock together" I never realized how true that was until I got older. The people who you spend the most time with, and talk to the most, should inspire you. I never want to be doing the best out of my circle, because it'll push me to be better. A true friend, helps you become the best you need to be.
The people in my life currently, are amazing. They push me to be better, motivate me, pray for me, and really speak life into me. I don't talk to my friends every day, we're busy, but when we talk, it's like we haven't missed a beat. My best friend, Toria, is a talented esthetician, who started her business back when we were in college. She's partially the reason I even started my blog. Being around her, it's no way I could just sit on my behind. My friend Zana, brightens up my days. She gives me blog ideas, checks me when I'm wrong, and helps me budget. My friend Nesha, is currently expecting, and still manages to be there for me. She is my prayer warrior, who checks on me to make sure I'm ok. She listens and encourages me, even when I don't know I need it. My friend Brittany, is my business friend. We talk all things business and future planning. I love bouncing ideas off her, and vice versa. I have other great friends in my life who are there for me, and who show up when I need them.
Friendship is not a one way street. All that my friends are to me, I am to them as well. The key to having good friends is to be a good friend. I didn’t get good friends, until I became a better person, which ultimately made me a better friend. I had to identify that I needed to be better. If you have no friends in your life, the problem might be you. We live in a world where it’s "normal'' to say you don’t have friends, and you don’t need anybody, but I’m here to tell you that you do. My friends are all going to be successful and have such a strong work ethic. My friends make me better just by being themselves. Being a good friend is a daily practice. You have to be actively care about other people. Sometimes I have to pull my head out my behind and remember that it’s not all about me. Become what you want to attract, with friendships. I value my friends so much, sometimes over my romantic relationships. Good friends are hard to come by, so when you have some hold on to them
National Best Friend Day was last Tuesday, and I showed my appreciation to my friends by sending them flowers and edible arrangements. Show up for your friends! The quality of your friendships is more important than the quantity! I have five incredible friends who are all in different states, ages, career fields, and more. I could call any of them and they'd be there for me and you bet, I would do the same for them. It's ok to have different friends for different things, that doesn't make them less of a friend. If your friends are not making you better, are they really your friends? Check your circle and see if you've outgrown some people. Successful people know how to edit their circle. Outgrowing friendships is normal and just because you stop being friends with someone, doesn't make them an enemy! You are the people you hang around, if you don't like it, change it!
