I feel slightly strange giving all this advice on ideas that I feel are important. People probably scoff at the 26-year-old telling others about life; however, I feel confident in saying that I am a 75-year-old trapped in a 26-year-old's body. I am sure of it. Therefore, my thoughts have some validity.
What's my advice? Choose wisely. I don't necessarily mean paper or plastic, scrambled or over easy, or the blue or pink top. I think one of the most important decisions people make is whom they choose to be in their lives. Duh, right? Well, it is much easier said than done. It's far too easy to let people stay in our lives who drain us of happiness, trust, and faith. One of the best pieces of advice that has been given to me is to find people who celebrate you not just tolerate you.
Here is what I have learned. You are important and choosing friends who celebrate you is one of the best gifts that you can give yourself. It’s crucial to find those who truly see you and believe in all that you are and can be. It is when we are just tolerated by our friends that we are left empty and often struggle with confidence and trust. You deserve friends who serve as “roots” in your life. Roots are those who keep you standing when everything around you is trying to knock you down, who give you love and inspiration to help you grow, and who always see you in the best light. You owe it to yourself to choose your friends wisely. It’s an important honor that should not just be afforded to anyone. Not everyone deserves to be your friend.
Therein lies my advice. You can't choose family, but you can choose your friends. Find people who appreciate you for who you are, faults and all. Find people who make you laugh and who you can be yourself around. Find people who will drop whatever is going on when you're in desperate need of them. Find someone who is willing to give just as much as you are. Find people who celebrate your successes and are not jealous of them. With this, have the courage to let go of those people who drain you. Life is too short to waste time waiting for people to change. Oprah once said, “Surround yourself with only people who are going to lift you higher.” In my humble opinion, we all deserve to soar.
I am who I am because of those who are around me. Thank you for being a part of that.
Go choose great people,
EP
Your task is to give a shout out to your best friends!