Friendship is important, in everyone’s life. Friends provide a level of support that is different from the support that your family gives you. A true friend sees the better part of you and if you are lucky, they let you know about it.
“Promise me you’ll always remember: You’re braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.” A. A. Milne (Christopher Robin to Pooh)
True Friendship Mirrors Our Best Back to Us
When Christopher Robin said that to Pooh, he was being a true friend. He saw the best parts of the lovely little bear and he let him know.
- “You’re braver than you believe”
- “You’re stronger than you seem”
- “You’re smarter than you think”
Imagine…how powerful those three statements are. Let that sink in and tell me, do you have a friend like that in your life? I have…several…and I am grateful for them.
They don’t let me get away with the crap that I am sometimes guilty of telling myself. It doesn’t happen often…that I need to be told…but when I do, it’s really nice to have a true friend who can call you on telling yourself that you are “less than”.
We all have had those moments…it is a moment of truth that can break the trance that we keep ourselves in. We are shaken out of that negative mindset. We are given a dose of reality through the eyes of another, a friend whose opinion we trust.
The true power of friendship shows itself in many different ways. When we have true friends, we know that we are not alone. They are people that we can share details of our lives with and not be judged.
Our friends support us in the decisions that we make, even if they disagree with our choices. They are honest and let us know what their opinions are.
Being Your Own Best Friend
When all is said and done, each of us has a best friend. And who do you think that is? It should be you…you should be your very best friend, the person that you can count on, no matter what.
In order to be your own best friend, you will need to do a few things differently…
- Be kind to yourself
- Recognize the good that is in you…that’s right…
- Remember what you have learned about the past…keep the learnings…
- Acknowledge your past emotions and let them go…now…
- Forgive yourself and be tolerant…just like you do for some one else…
- Treat yourself with respect
- Allow yourself to feel the love that you have for you…deep inside…
- Allow peace into your friendship with you…call a truce with your inner critic…
Friendship and friends are so very important. Take the time to develop all of your friendships that are supportive of you.
Occasionally, we outgrow some friendships and need to let them go…if it is time…only you know…and when you do, let them go with love…and allow new friendships that align with your values into your life…
Friendships that nurture and support you deserve the time you give, to nurture and support them back. Acknowledge those friends…and be your own best friend because you can be…you know…
“Drive your own life…you deserve to, don’t you?” Sherie Venner
Image Credit: Sujin Jetkasettakorn
Sherie
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What a beautiful article. I especially resonate with the reminder to “keep the learnings” from the past. So often folks want to “get over” a painful experience and forget it, not realizing that it is in keeping the learnings that true freedom comes!
That is SO true, Ronae! And if we don’t keep the learnings, it is so easy to repeat past mistakes! 😀 Thanks for taking the time to read the article and for commenting.
Friends…definitely blessings. When we’re loved “just as we are” we know we have a true friend, worth more than gold! Great article!
Thank you so much, Sue, for reading the article and for your lovely comment!!
Love your articles. You always share with such heart…
The LEARNED Preneur @NormaDoiron.NET
Awww…Norma, thank you so much! You are such a sweetheart!
Thanks for sharing this wonderful post, Sherie! Life isn’t complete without friends.
Thank you, Lorii, I agree…friends do make life complete!
We all need true friends to encourage us, build us up but also bring us back down to reality when need be. It would be a lonely world without their support!
It certainly would, wouldn’t it? Thanks so much for your comment, Rob, I appreciate it!!
We need to really embrace loving ourselves more..I see daily in my coaching where women are easy to critique themselves….Its so much more empowering to just be our own best friend. Thanks for sharing your wisdom:)
Thank you so much for your comment, Anita! Yes, we do need to really embrace loving ourselves more!
Thanks Sherie! That was an amazing post! And so true, we are the cruelest friends to ourselves. Self doubt and ‘why would anybody want me’ can build up and drag you down.
Loved your quote “Drive your own life…you deserve to, don’t you?” 🙂
Thank you, Tara, I so appreciate that you love my quote!! : D Yes, it can be true and we can change that….thanks for your comment!
Wonderful post, Sherie! I love the quote from Christopher Robin to Pooh. So moving and so true.
Thank you, Eva, I love that quote!
Love this article! and for me, I look at how kind people are and that too reflects how kind I am back and particularly to myself! thank you!
Great point, Patricia! You’re welcome and thank you for reading and commenting on the post!!
Sherie, thank you for the reminder about being our own best friend! Love the checklist on how to do it! Great article!
Thank you, Sarah! I am glad that you liked the article and thank you for commenting!
Great article! Friends are the family we choose!! Thanks for sharing this important message!
Thanks, Denny! Yes, friends are the family we choose! Thanks so much for your comment. : D
Being your own best friend is so important!!! I am so grateful for my friends.. but I have learned that I have to treat myself well before I can expect it from others! I’m so glad I have a friend like you! Big Hug!!!
Big hugs back, Liz, so love having you as my friend!!
Love this post, Sherie!
Friends are one of those things that make living worthwhile!
Everyone needs to have friends around to keep them aligned with who they are and who they are becoming. And to give them a wake-up call if they’re getting off the track too!
“Friendship and friends are so very important. Take the time to develop all of your friendships that are supportive of you.” Absolutely!!!
Thank you, Rob! Friends do make living worthwhile and I am so grateful for mine…love your comment, thank you!!