Where do you find the best possible source of energy?
If you struggle to find energy to get through the day, I wrote an article to give you three weird ways to improve your energy. If you missed it you can read it HERE.
Now I want to share with you the most powerful source of personal energy on earth: friendship.
Years ago, after serving my first year as a pastor, I felt drained. The stress was killing me. I even went to the hospital and wore a heart monitor to make sure it wasn’t a physical issue. I was uncertain if I could go on.
In one of those lowest moments, I attended my college reunion. My friends and I gathered in a room and it was as though the years rolled back and we were living together again in our old dormitory. I found myself laughing so hard tears rolled down my cheeks. Stress rolled off my back. I relaxed. And the energy returned. My friends saved my career, maybe even my life, and all they did was be my friend.
Have you discovered the increasing importance of friends as you grow older? I’m not talking about Facebook friends, but real friends who will walk with you through the good and the bad.
As we raised families and built careers, many of us gave in to the temptation to ignore friendships. The lack of time kept our focus on other places. There were more important matters to engage in. We lost track of some good friends.
That’s a problem. I’m discovering as I age, friendships are more important than ever. The drama of life has made me too serious; I need someone to make me laugh. I need someone to tell me I’m a jerk or being arrogant or my zipper is down. I need friends more than ever and so do you.
Don’t take your current collection of friends for granted. When’s the last time you got together? How long has it been since you bought them a cup of coffee? Are you connected with them on Facebook? Take time to make sure you maintain a strong relationship with your friends.
In case you’ve forgotten how important it is to have friends, here’s a quick reminder list:
- friends grieve with us.
- friends inspire us.
- friends correct us.
- friends motivate us.
- friends help us.
It’s easy to see how friends bring energy into your life. Cultivate those friendships. Find lost friends and reconnect with them.
Surround yourself with friends and they will light up your life with energy.
Yesss!: “I need someone to tell me I’m a jerk or being arrogant or my zipper is down.”
So spot on as usual Randy! I’ve a friend that I meet with almost every Saturday morning. In the beginning of our relationship, over a decade ago, he was more like a mentor. We’ve since become close friends. In so many ways he saved my life … literally and figuratively.
As you’ve written here, friends can bless us in so many ways, just like my good friend has for me. But what has also happened over the years is that I’ve been provided the opportunity to be a blessing to him as well. And that is telling of the growth that’s taken place as we’ve walked through major life issues together.
Thanks Garry. Friends are so special. Even when they disagree with me I still need them!
I especially love the friends who HUG! Lots of energy in a hug….and here’s another one ~ each Friday for probably the last four years I have taken my great-granddaughter for the day. We went to breakfast at IHOP, until now, she’s in kindergarten, so it’s lunch, then we come to my house and make cookies, or color, or pull dandelions, draw on the sidewalk, or whatever. I cherish this little “friend” so much…doesn’t have to be just grown-up friends! ♥
27 years ago, a beloved pastor friend left our church to pastor another church in another state. A trio of us sang this song as tears fell from our eyes. Tonight we will have our last Dinner Club gathering as a group of friends who have been meeting for 24 years. My dear friend Sue, who I met 40 years ago, will be driving with our dog and me to Wisconsin in June. Yes, I wholeheartedly agree with your words about friends! 💜
https://youtu.be/Ped1jYLFtkA
In sure there’s a Barry Manilow sing in there somewhere?!
Hey Randy thanks for being my friend. I could not make it with out the wonderful friends God has sent into my life
The feeling is mutual!
Great article, Randy. Friends are one thing “Boomers” can take into old age!
Love this! My friends have laughed and cried with me. I am blessed to have friends in my life!
This very moment I’m sitting between two college friends from the college class of 1976!!