I was thinking today after being at Pigfest and seeing all these people, how the friends I thought would be part of my life forever, are really not. Crazy how things work out. But I have to say that I love my life, my family, and the friends that I do have.
I love this. It is so true. I can honestly admit I am most likely one of those friends she is talking about. We were extremely close in high school and even a few years after, but over the years, life happened. New jobs came along, new friends, new love interests, new places to live, and in her case a new baby! It seems as you get older, the harder and harder it is to find time to hang out with your friends. I've found that when you are younger, you could pretty much call a friend at any given time and be able to meet up. But as you grow older and your responsibilities grow, time grows more sparse. You have to actually make effort and schedule time to meet up with your friends. You will find that in many cases some friends might not be able to make it to an event, but at the same time, it's necessary to still hang out with whoever you can, whenever you can, as it will be far and few in between when you can get the whole gang back together. Though me and said friend above aren't nearly as close as we once were, I made it a priority to make it to the hospital last year when she welcomed the arrival of her new baby girl. We may not get to see each other often, but in my heart she will always be a friend. <3
I recently ran across a blog that had some awesome insight of lessons Danielle, the blogger, learned in her 20's. Her #8 was "It's okay to let go. People change" which I will quote below:
Over the past decade of my life I've had lots of friends- high school friends, friends from different places I've worked, college, etc. It's hard when you've been friends with someone for a long time, and then life goes on, and you move on...and the friendship isn't what it once was. It can cause a lot of grief and upset feelings when friends drift apart, but I strongly believe that this is a natural thing that happens and it's best to just let things be as they will be. That's not to say to stop making an effort and let that fall to the wayside, but more so in the case of the "natural drift" (I'm sure you know what I mean). There's a lot of people I care for deeply, but we just aren't as close as we used to be. There aren't hard feelings, there's no weirdness, it's just a mutual understanding that at this time in our lives our relationship has a bit of a different definition. It's funny because sometimes friends come into your life, and then out, and then sometimes they come back in. One of my closest friends, let's call her S., was my best friend for a long time, at the end of college and for years after. We drifted apart a bit, but after I got married we came back into great touch and although we don't talk all of the time, she is one of the most important people in my life and will be an Auntie to our son. I really believe that it's okay for this to happen with friends. I feel like we try to hold on a lot to "what was," or what a relationship used to be, but in reality, everything is always changing- people, circumstances, friendships...so it seems only natural that if two people don't change in the same way, things will shift. You can accept it, keep loving your friend, and know that in time everything works itself out just as it should. Everything has a season, and whether that season is for a year or a lifetime, it's okay.
I copied the above "lesson" from Danielle @ Sometimes Sweet. I highly recommend you check out her blog, ESPECIALLY the 10 things I learned in my 20's post. So inspiring. True words.
Change is constant in life. We all change. We grow up. We evolve. We live and learn. I absolutely LOVE the last part about if two people don't change in the same way, it's only natural to shift, however it's up to each individual to accept the change, keep loving their friend and know that in the end the friendship will work out just the way it should. <3 I've been through these changes myself, experienced them first hand, so I can personally agree with what Danielle said, it WILL all work out in the end. Friends come, and go, and sometimes come back again. It's the beauty of the circle of life :) The sooner you realize this, the better off, and less stressed you will be down the road.
Now, on to day 8 of Project 31 which actually will be very short and sweet for me as I don't have any beauty tips to share with you all. :( Sorry! I don't wear much make up, and don't have any one product that I swear by. I can say my cousin recommended John Freida's Frizz-Ease Smooth Start Shampoo, and it works well for me :)
Day 2. What makes you uniquely you?
Day 3. Who is someone you know who inspires beauty?
Day 4. Style 31. Post a pic of you in your favorite outfit.
Day 5. Write a blog thanking someone who has made your heart come alive.
Day 6. Jaded beauty. Has the world's definition of beauty ever jaded you?
Day 7. Write a blog to encourage another beautiful woman.
Day 8. Have a beauty secret (e.g. hair tip, make up tip)? Share, please!
Day 9. What virtues do you value in yourself?
Day 10. What is Jesus teaching you as a wife, mom, or friend? (Or just woman in general?)
Day 11. Post a recipe. Or if you don't cook, try a new recipe and write about how it turned out (pictures please!).
Day 12. Write about what wears you out as a woman.
Day 13. Write about something you would like to change about yourself for the better.
Day 14. Style 31. Post an outfit pic!
Day 15. Write to encourage a friend. Inspire her beauty.
Day 16. Write a letter to your daughter, or a young girl in your life. Tell her what beauty means.
Day 17. Write about 3 things that make you happy.
Day 18. Describe your personality.
Day 19. Write about your favorite comfort food (we are women- we ALL have comfort food!)
Day 20. Write about your job and why you love it or hate it.
Day 21. Write a letter to your husband to encourage him (or if you are single- your future husband.)
Day 22. What are some needs that need to be met in your community? Blog about how to extend your hand to those who need you.
Day 23. What are your strengths? What are your weaknesses?
Day 24. What is Jesus teaching you presently?
Day 25. Style 31. Post a pic of your favorite comfy clothes.
Day 26. What do you hope your grandchildren will say about you someday when you are gone?
Day 27. Write a blog to encourage someone and build their confidence!
Day 28. Write about your insecurities as a woman.
Day 29. Write about "a day in the life of me." (Pics are great!)
Day 30. Who is your role model as a woman?
Day 31. Write about your dreams and goals as a beautiful woman!
Be sure to check out Mandy's blog and show her some love, after all, she created Project 31. Awesome!
XOXO
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