Flavors of Friendship

 I once told Nic that I’m happy we have friends who are different enough from one another that they feed the many parts of my soul.  I have serious, smart friends who are boundlessly caring and would do anything for me.  I have friends who like to party and let loose.  I have childhood friends with whom I share a deep history and connection despite large distances of time and space between us.  I have ridiculously silly friends who allow me to be a carefree kid without worrying about being judged.  Lately I’ve been reflecting on this last group and wondering why in the past I have viewed these folks as some of my “best” friends, despite this group also being the ones whom I’ve felt most abandoned by.  I think losing oneself in silliness and laughter takes trust, at least for me.  It requires the willingness to be vulnerable.  Perhaps this is why I feel so broken-hearted over friends in this category whom I’ve lost.

As of yesterday I came to a new conclusion about a nutritive type of friend everyone needs.  We all need a person who inspires and encourages us to overcome fears and be better.  Someone with whom we can be totally honest because they’ve experienced similar things and have wisdom to share.  I am lucky to have a friend who is a life example, who recognizes my growth and talent even when I can’t see it, who encourages me to honor the broken parts of myself, who instills bravery, and who lovingly kicks my ass down destiny’s path.

To all of my current friends, thank each of you for feeding my hungry soul regardless of which parts of me you nourish.   I hope I bring something to your life that was not there before.

Who best feeds your soul?

Comments

  1. UnknownJuly 23, 2013 at 8:13 AM

    Absolutely beautifully written, and we'll thought out. You have put into words everything I have felt for years with my relationships, and you did it so succinctly and we'll put and well thought out. Thank you for that gift.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Tygre July 24, 2013 at 12:32 AM

    Thank you Christopher! I'm glad you connected with the ideas in my writing!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Jill DaytonJuly 25, 2013 at 5:52 PM

    Oprah.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Jill DaytonJuly 25, 2013 at 5:54 PM

    oooooohhhhh I am being silly as usual.

    I would say that Christopher is the one who feeds my soul and encourages me to be different, and better, than the day before. He makes it safe for me to "go for it" and not always worry about the outcome.

    ReplyDelete

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