For years I have loved that I have made lots of incredible friends from all over the world. What a blessing it is to live life with people who you know and can learn from. Different people bring out different parts of me. The people who surround us are what make us completely human. Pieces of a puzzle that when all put together, make a unique and beautiful world. Until the end of time, I will always be confident in the fact that the people in my life will forever make me better.

Recently, I read a New York Times article confirming how important friends are to our mental well-being. Loneliness and isolation can be contributed to depression and anxiety. A study out of Brigham Young in Utah says it can also be as harmful as smoking 15 cigarettes a day! Wow. Friendship and belonging truly is good for our health. The article goes on to state that the sweet spot is between 3-6 close friends. These past few years I have struggled to find my voice, my calling, and who God truly meant me to be. With this have come a lot of friendships that haven’t survived. It was a shot to the heart. Why can’t we stay friends forever? Are we supposed to stay friends with everyone our entire lives? I digress….

The overwhelming feeling that keeps rolling around in my head is that it just takes one. Just one friend or one family member that has your back. Through all of the silly things, you may do or say to have at least one person that loves the evolution of who you are becoming. Thankful for an amazing husband and siblings, but my best friend from high school is this for me. My biggest cheerleader. The one person who I know will never judge me or try to make me be anything other than I am. A friend who would fly across the country to be with me for my Birthday and tell me the things she sees in me that I do not. Thankful that in this lifetime I have a Felicia. The Thelma to my Louise. My ride or die.

It only takes one person in life cheering you on and making you believe you are in fact a superhero. It has been said that you are the equivalent of the five people you spend the most time with and I feel so thankful for the people in my court.

What are some ways your friends have encouraged you?

Praying that you have or find your “one”, my friends. It can make all the difference in the world. <3 Have a great week,

Tarah