Today, I want to celebrate friendship. Bountiful, beautiful friendship.
When you press “pause” and take a few minutes to reflect on life’s greatest treasures, doesn’t your mind almost always go to the people in your life?
Not the things, the trips or the trophies.
People. Your people.
Picture a magnificent, mixed bouquet of flowers.
Every flower is unique.
Every flower is beautiful.
Some flowers last longer than others.
Some flowers have a few thorns.
Some flowers stand out because they are bright and bold, others because they are delicate.
Some flowers might be seen as “filler,” but the bouquet wouldn’t be the same without them.
Each flower contributes to the beauty of the bouquet.
Your friends are like that mixed bouquet.
Beautiful in their own right; magnificent when you think about how the combination of friends impacts your life.
Here’s a great exercise:
Make a list of your friends. The close ones. The ones you see occasionally. The ones you might not see for months or years, but with whom you can pick up right where you left off. The ones who have spoken truth into your life. The ones who have encouraged you.
For each friend, write down their character quality that you value most.
For each friend, write down the greatest life lesson they have taught you.
Then, take a few minutes and look at that beautiful bouquet of friends. Appreciate its beauty. Realize the positive impact so many people have made on your life.
And please tell them.
In writing.
Imagine how you’d feel if you found a simple, handwritten note like this in your mailbox:
Start this weekend. Start writing notes. Maybe one a day…or one a week.
Tell people why they matter. Eulogize the living.
Your words of gratitude and encouragement will mean more than you can imagine.
Appreciate your beautiful bouquet of friends. Whether the bouquet is large or small, it is something to be cherished.
Please tell your people what they mean to you.
Leave nothing unsaid.
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