Friendship

Do not remove a fly from your friend's forehead with a hatchet. (Anonymous)


What is a friend? A single soul in two bodies. (Aristotle)


I'll lean on you and you lean on me and we'll be okay. (Dave Matthews Band)


Friends are one of the greatest gifts that we have in life. View the child on the playground without friends and you've witnessed a very sad thing that often has lasting effects on their soul.


Whether you are an introvert or an extravert, we all need friends.


Friends come in many shapes and sizes. Some friends are merely acquaintances, people that we meet with similar interests such as church or careers. Cultivating these friendships can lead to personal growth and a sense of community.


Other friends are social friends, those that we like to go out with for common interests. These are people that we hang out with, whose company we enjoy.


As creatives we need artist friends. Artists are touchy-feely, sensitive types of people who are often misunderstood by mainstream society. Artists tend to wear their hearts on their sleeves and need constant reassurance that they are ok and that they are doing the right thing with their art. Becoming friends with other artists will broaden your life in ways that will pay great dividends in your future and in your gifting.


Hopefully we all make a few close friends in life. These are people that you cannot only enjoy socially, but who have your back. These dear souls know your deepest secrets and would never betray you. These are friends who always have your best interest at heart and you theirs. 


Many of us have mates, people who are ideally supposed to be our closest friend, our best friend. These people have your back, front and both sides, share common interests and travel through life with you in a supportive role. A good spouse would die for you and will always trust, hope and believe in you as you believe in them.  You will build each other up, not tear each other down. In addition to a deep friendship, your relationship should be so close that you want to share your bodies, connecting your spirits together into a unity that lasts for a lifetime. 


Sometimes life doesn't give us the friendships that we need or desire. Sometimes there are breakdowns in communication or in expectations. Sometimes there is betrayal that tears a friendship apart. It's one of the sad truths of our broken world. If anything, it makes good successful friendships have that much more value.


Today, seek out and cultivate your friendships. Call people who you love and haven't spoken with for a while. Show your friends how much they mean to you. Pass the love around - it's good for the soul!