So, throughout my twenties, I have learned so much about genuine love, cultivating relationships, and surrounding yourself with people who cover you in the blanket of LOVE.
Today, while I was scrolling down a couple of blogs on friendship and how to maintain them in your 30s, I had a lot of things that flooded my mind. And since then, I started thinking about the subject of friendship in general.
Obviously, yes, we have people in our lives who come and go-seasonal friends, I say. But, the older we get, the more thankful we are for those genuine friends who we never have to question. You know, it's like, they just show up in every way and it is easy.
I have also been continually reminded that this is the age when a lot of life-long friendships are cultivated. Also, at this age, all of us, have our own stories of highs and lows-separations and marriages, careers taking off and other challenges, some infertility struggles and others expanding their families, big moves, family issues, and even losses.
So, it's now more than ever that we need our people, our friends, our TRIBE.
When I am writing about friendship, there are also people in my life who made an entry and exist simultaneously. Yes, sometimes friends disappear. At times, we try to isolate other people. Sometimes, our priority changes, and sometimes, we are lost.
But then, those people or those friends who stick around to rekindle those "somewhere lost" relationships are the ones who bring freshness to our lives. Yes, that feeling of reconnecting again, cannot be put in words. It can only be felt!
You know I have always been more of a few 'best friends rather than a lot of acquaintances' kind of person. And frankly speaking, these bonds mean 'everything' to me. For me, I revolve around women who are strong because they have been broken. The ones who have a story to tell and truly know who they are because that story has molded them. These are the ones who will run to you when you need them.
Well, I say them soft-hearted, but strong-headed. They are the ones who are the same person in a room of 2 as they are in a room of 200. They are the ones who will get down on their knees and pray on your behalf. The ones I can simply look at and they know what I am thinking. The ones who will go deeper and defend you and will shower their trust upon you. So, one day, I asked my closest friends to write a note about what friendship means to them at this stage of life, and here is what they wrote about it:
Friendship to me has a whole new meaning. It is your gift to choose and pick, and build your team member. A true friend will love the imperfect you, the wrong you, and the confused you because that is the real you. They are the ones who will celebrate you, and show up for you.
Friendship to me is someone believing in you when the world is against you. Someone defending you when you cannot defend yourself. Someone pushing you to be your best version. And someone who is first to stand and clap when you do something good. True friendship is God's way of hugging you at your best and most importantly at your worst.
So, on this friendship day why don't you ask your friends to write a blurb about you? It will make you cherish the bond you have with your best friends. And one last thing which I feel is important to share. You know we live in a world where information and +life updates are at our fingertips. But do not let social media facade be an excuse to reach out. A simple call or an impromptu lunch turns out to be much more effective. So, on this friendship day show your love and make an effort to connect. It will show them that you care!
We often underestimate the power of small changes, but if we make them part of our daily routine, they can bring us huge rewards.
Surya Namaskara is practiced by chanting Mantra that brings harmony to the body.
Self-acceptance is the cornerstone of a healthy and fulfilling life.
