The Importance of Friendship

On Friday of this past week, I was interviewed by Diane from CNN in regards to friendship. Not just "oh hey, this is my buddy", but true unconditional love you have for your long term friends. So many times we get caught up in our lives, in our jobs, in our families and we have this overwhelming feeling of despair. We declutter our lives, we organize our homes, we read self help books, we spend goobles of money on therapy, we try EVERYTHING to find our own inner peace. When it's right there in front of us.

I realized something on Friday during the interview with Diane, it was something that even though I knew was there, I didn't understand the true importance of. I am truly blessed with PHENOMENAL friends. I have a great family, there is no doubt about that in the least bit. They are 100% supportive, I have a step-father whom I cherish and I even get offended when people refer to him as my "stepdad". I have a "real" dad and I love him just as much, but in reality I have two. My mom is beyond amazing, my children are incredible, but they don't have a choice they have to love me. :) It's outside of my family where my special blessings occur. Those blessings come in the form of my friends.

From Eric, my dearest and most flakiest of friends, to Renee and Sophie who can waste an entire Sunday drinking champagne with me as we clear out restaurants with our crazy stories and loud laughter, to Grey, who knows me better than I know myself and loves me regardless!

I have friends who I have known for over 30 years, my best friend I have known for 19, I have great girlfriends who are down right hysterical and I have my own special Anam Cara, or soul friend, who knows me better than I know myself. I have friends in South Africa, England, Scotland, Canada, Israel, and Germany who all serve a higher purpose in my life. Each of the people that I call a "friend" is not just someone I "know", they are positive influences in my life. They are people who make a difference not just in MY life, but in the lives of those around them. They don't suck the life from me they give it back.

When you see the clutter around you, when you feel like you need to get "organized", when you approach the overwhelming sensation of life, stop for a minute. Don't run out and buy the first book you see on the subject, look around you. When was the last time you called your best friend? When was the last time you took an hour from your day to catch up over lunch with an amazing person in your life? When was the last time you sat and poured out your heart to someone who won't judge you for being you? Sure, your laundry will still be there when you get back, but how refreshed will you feel after an afternoon of silliness? I can guarantee you that it will make getting that garage cleaned out go a heck of a lot easier.

Take a few minutes over this next week and send a special note or make a call to a friend who has made a difference in your life. It will surprise you how special it will make you both feel. As for me, I think it's time I let those people in my life know just how important they are to me and the positive impact they have had.

Your friend,

Suzy - Suzanne - Red - Tippy - Suz - Suzer