Having friends has been such a blessing in my life. I didn’t truly understand the value and importance of friends for a long time until recently. This weekend, I just came back from girls weekend getaway road trip and had a blast. We travelled from New York to North Carolina and:
- Ate southern comfort food at Cracker Barrel and attended a 1-year olds birthday party
- Hung out in Wally World aka Wal-Mart where we bought almost every item sold where we discovered our new it beverage only sold in-stores in that area (boooo!)
- And even schooled some young whipper snappers about the culture, music and inventions from 90s and early 2000s and how our generation is so much better than the carbon copies of today’s generation
Friends are a gift sent from God sent to help you throughout your life. Some have been around since the dawn of time or maybe just kindergarten. Others you meet on the beginning of the journey, some friends you pickup and/or drop-off along the way and finally, those that stand the test of time.
Friend Roles
Regardless of when or where, it’s important to know the role each friend plays in your life as they all have very equally and important roles. Also, the really good friends can overlap in more than one category of friends, so no need to put everyone in just one box.
1. Childhood friends
Unless you were a Russian spy or in witness protection, you have to have at least one friend from childhood that you still connect with from time to time. This friend is important because they keep you grounded and remind you of where you have come from. They truly know where all the deep secrets of your past or hidden and had a first-hand view of all the elements that made you incredible. When I hang with my girls from grade school, it feels like we never left each other. We can pick up where we left off and add more stories to the list every time we catch up.
2. Work friends
Out of 24 hours in a day, you are at work more than a third of that time. In order to keep your sanity and peace of mind you have to have a work friend or two on the roster. Some work friends may only be around during your stints at a specific job or can blossom into life long industry friends who you invite to your inner circle. For me, I spend more time with my work friends than with my family, so it’s important for me to have someone that I can lean on. Someone to take a walking break with when you have a bad meeting, someone to split a meal with when the funds are low or someone to brainstorm and bounce ideas off of to make sure you put your best foot forward in front of the boss.
3. Hangout and Chillax Friends
Not all friends are meant to know every deep dark secret about you. Sometimes you just need someone to hangout with or just chillax and enjoy life. These are the friends that you call up to go out and have a good time [Good time = what you define it as]. They don’t want to hear about your bad day or your new boo, they just want to eat good food, hangout and play a thrilling game of Cards Against Humanity or dance the night away to Michael Jackson. No matter what you do this friend will help take your mind off the troubles of life for just a little while at least.
4. Mind Expander Friends
“Don’t be the only king crab in your barrel.” In life once you stop learning, then what is there left to do but die. We all can still learn life lessons, big and small from others. And this is where the mind expander friend comes into play. You should have friends that push you to do better and also enriches your life and vice versa. You shouldn’t be the only sharp tool in the toolbox so that you shine the brightest. How will you grow if there is no one in your circle who is doing bigger and better to help you too. Motivation is a powerful tool if used right and if everyone is supportive of each other to succeed.
5. Faith Warrior Friends
Even though faith has gotten me through some really tough times in my life, sometimes my faith was not enough. I needed to call on my faith warriors to remind me that God is in control. In the bible in Matthew 18:19-20, it says “Wherever two or three are gathered together in the name of Jesus, He is there with them in their midst.” Sometimes we need to reach out to a friend who can help guide and support your spiritual journey in life. We were not meant to walk the Earth alone, so when the walk gets rough, why not walk it with like minded friends who have the right tools to lead you down the right path.
6. Down for Whatever Friends
Have you ever had a friend that no matter what time of day it is or request you seek to ask, they are down for the cause? Well these are the down for whatever friends. Most of the time they are pivotal and instrumental in helping you move on and forward in life. If you need a friend to drop everything and take action, try something new, or would hop on a plane without notice, these are the friends to call. Now just make sure you keep the request positive as these friends will help you in any situation good or bad, regardless if it ends up in you reaching your goals, a restraining order and a call from a bail bondsmen, so make your request count.
7. Sanity Check Friends
Last but not least, you need a friend who can be your filter to bounce your crazy off of. We all have some crazy tendencies, some more than others, and sometimes we need that friend that will tell us to our face how silly or crazy we sound. Have you ever met or seen a celebrity who you question how they fell so far off the edge? Well my friends, that person did not have sanity check friends. They paid all their friends to work for them and therefore the friends won’t tell them the ugly truths in life. Don’t leave the house and make life changing decisions without consulting your sanity check friend. I have a few sanity check friends in my life that will burst my bubble when needed to bring me back to reality. You know who you are and thanks ladies!
Circle of Sisters
Each of these friends play a role in my life and help to make me who I am and I hope will continue to be factors that mold me into who I will become. We were not meant to be on Earth alone. God may have given you to a specific family, but aren’t you glad He allows you to also pick some additional friends to add to your roster. Hey Taylor Swift isn’t the only one with a girl squad, you should have one too!