Friends

A local submissive women's group I belong to has a member who shares quotes daily for all to ponder.  I often wonder if the quotes she chooses are reflective of where she is in her journey that day.  I never ask, it's HER journey, and how the quotes touch me and fit into my life are really all I need concern myself with.

One day this past week, the following quotes arrived in the daily note from her:

A true friend is one who believes in you when you have ceased to believe in yourself.
*- Anonymous*

Friends are helpful not only because they will listen to us,
but because they will laugh at us;
Through them we learn a little objectivity,
a little modesty, a little courtesy;
We learn the rules of life and become better players of the game.
*- Will Durant*

 Those did speak volumes to me, for a variety of reasons.  And I remember thinking to myself that true friends can help keep us real.  True friends can tell us point blank, "you're full of bull" or "stop taking yourself so seriously".  True friends love us, and remain true friends, in SPITE of our failings.  They see us for who we are, they don't buy into the sales pitch we put on for the rest of the world (and often for ourselves too) but for who we really are.  And they love us.  Often when we cannot love ourselves.  True friends accept us, the way we are, often when we cannot accept ourselves.  If we are wise, we will take a step back and listen to those rare and precious friends, and give ourselves a break.  We'll learn to value that which our true friend values - ourselves!

I am thankful for the true friends in my life, and hopeful that I make a difference in the lives of those whom I consider to be my true friends.

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