Follow through

Throughout your life you learn a lot of lessons. Your values and priorities change according to what is at the forefront of your heart during the season you’re in.

For example, friends have always been a huge part of my life, but being a very sufficient person — and somewhat moody — I like to be by myself a lot of the time. So, when friends would make plans, I’d often cancel at the last minute, not realizing what those actions were saying about my character.

After many confrontations, I swore to never be a flake again, and through this confirmation, I’ve made the effort to keep my word, stick to the plans and go through with what I say I’m going to do — always. This shift in mentality has been truly eye opening for me. Sure, there are times when I’d rather be alone and do nothing at all, but the rewards of following through are extremely rich.

I do my best to reach out to my friends, the ones that I haven’t spoken to or seen in a while, as well as the ones that I see every week. I think it’s important to keep that connection, so that your loved ones know that you’ll always be at the other end when they need you — and when they don’t.

My goal is to be a good friend — scratch that — a great friend. I haven’t always been, so I use that to fuel myself to try even harder. Also, I’m in no way an expert at being the ultimate friend, and I have to constantly reminded myself to do and be better. Romantic relationships fail all the time, but friendships have the ability to last a lifetime — if you nurture them.

So, my humble advice is to connect and show up. There may come a time in your life when you realize that your friends are all you have — your only source of support and love — and when/if that time comes, you’re going to want to know that they have your back. So, don't take friendships for granted.