Life, Friendship, and Life Lessons

It’s been quiet on my blog lately. I have had a friend staying at my house and then I went on a mini vacation to visit my mom, but now I am back and ready to blog away again! Things have been crazy busy, but I have had less time on the computer and more time to think about things in my life.  I have to say that in this time I have thought about two very important things that have really hit me. Two lessons that I have learned that I wanted to share with you. Here they are:

1. Life’s experiences make a person who they are today.
My good friend Kailey was here last week. She has come to visit before and we had such a blast hanging out and doing girly stuff. One of the things we like to do, like any other friends is talk, and we had some very nice conversations. One topic that was brought up made me think. We were talking about people and how they are. Their personalities, there quirks, the things that make them tick, and the way everyone is different. And then my friend said something I will never forget. She said, “I think that you see things the way you do because of the things that you have experienced in your life.”

Wow! I just really had to think about that. No one else has had my experiences. Sure, some people might have gone through similar things, but no one has had every single experience I have had. No one’s life is the same.

I realized I am a realist. I see things how they are. I am not necessarily a positive person, but I don’t think I am all negative either. I just see things the way I do because of the things I have been through in my life. And while that may be different from how other people are and how they see things, it is not necessarily bad.

I am me and you are you, and our experiences are what make us different. The good ones and the bad ones, they all shape us and make us who we are. So here’s to embracing our experiences. Let them come your way and let them make you into the person you are meant to be, the person God wants you to be.

2. True friendship is not based on the length of time you have known a person or how far you live apart from them.
I have come to realize that friendship is not based on how long you have known a person. You can meet someone and hit it off so well and feel like you have known that person your entire life OR you can know someone your entire life, but realize that just because you have known them that long does not necessarily make them a “friend.”

I have realized that some of my greatest friends are the ones who live far away, but are still there for me whether by Facebook, email, phone call, or even a short visit!

I am learning it takes true discernment to see who your real friends are. It’s not always about the people who live in your neighborhood, or go to your church, but it’s those who make the time for you. Those who want to build you up and not put you down. Those who help you in love when they they see your faults and instead of judging you, they help you onto the right path once again. That’s what makes a true friend.

I am blessed to have friends. And even though I may not get to talk to those I want to talk to all the time I am so glad I can know that those people will be there for me no matter what.

What are some life lessons YOU have learned lately?