Show me your friends and I can tell a lot about who you are. As a woman, especially, the importance of having a strong tribe is essential to our well-being.
A word of advice for you youngin’s out there: Choose who you surround yourself with wisely. It might not seem like a big deal to you now, but it is.
If there is a “contest” going with your friends each time you get together, that is a red flag. Who is prettiest? Most successful? Happiest? Skinniest? Is there jealousy between each other, said or unsaid? Are they genuinely happy for your success, love etc.? Or do they try and bring you down with each word spoken?
Do they want what is best for you?
Do your friends have a high amount of drama that they come to the table with? That drama is probably spilling into your life too.
Do your friends gossip about others when they aren’t around? What do you think they do when you aren’t?
Do you feel mentally and physically drained when you leave them or when you are around them?
Are they a bad influence or a good one? When you are with them, are you the best version of yourself?
Deep down inside, you know the answers to the questions and you most certainly know what they mean. Even if you don’t want to admit it.
Ladies, your tribe is important. We don’t think about the impact they have on us when we are young. We usually learn that lesson much later in life. Let me save you from yourself here and teach you now! You are welcome! Ha ha.
It doesn’t matter how “popular” they are. That is not what life is all about. It is about whether or not they are good people.
This is what your friends should do:
- Encourage you
- Pray for you
- Love you
- Build you up
- Not introduce drama into your life or have a lot in their lives
- Give good advice, not just tell you what you want to hear
- Be happy for you
- Be of good influence on you
The bottom line is this: Hang out with people that leave you with a smile your face instead of distress in your heart. Have a tribe of encouragers, builders and strengtheners instead of one that tears you down. You will be amazed at what happens to your life when you change your friends. The impact will be felt throughout your entire lifetime.
The women the table in the picture below represent my tribe. They are women of success, tenacity, beauty, love, patience, loyalty, and of God. They are fighters. They are overcomers. They are women of strength.
We have no drama. We don’t get angry with each other over petty things (or really for any reason). We love each other for our scars that we have and for the ones that will come.
I thank God for putting these women into my life. They have changed me. They have made me become a better version of myself. They keep me in check. Each one of them is amazing for so many different reasons.
Thank you so much for reading today. I hope that I made you smile and think a little bit. Be sure to check out my Podcast on iTunes, Soundcloud and Stitcher —- Jen’s 10 G’s