“I’ve never told anyone this before.”

“My friends and I never talk about these things.”

I’ve been thinking a lot about friendships lately.

I am someone people call on to seek council, support or guidance. Since I can remember I have always looked for like minded people and always choose to be surrounded by people I felt comfortable being around. If I could not find such people, then I preferred to be alone.

Now that I am vulnerable and honest on a daily basis, like minded people or people that are in the same place I am come into my life regularly. It’s a wonderful place to be.

I often think about people who have friends and friendships in contrast to mine that may be superficial or lack love and support.

I think about the at-risk teen girls I have worked with and how the community (friends, family, school) that surrounded them never took the time to see them. These girls wanted connection, to know they are loved and that they matter.

In other cases, there are people that are constantly surrounded by people, who they consider friends, though they never share deeper parts of themselves like their worries or fears.

True friendships provide not only people to spend time with, but people you can open up to and be yourself. 

A true friend will never push you down, pull you down or make you flatline in life. Friendships should always help you move forward and support you in your dreams.

Do your friendships raise you up?

Today’s Tune Tuesday Song speaks to true friendship, mentors or any relationship that is  built on authentic love.

You Raise Me Up by Josh Groban

When I am down and, oh, my soul, so weary;
When troubles come and my heart burdened be;
Then I am still and wait here in the silence,
Until you come and sit awhile with me.

You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains;
You raise me up to walk on stormy seas;
I am strong when I am on your shoulders;
You raise me up to more than I can be.

You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains;
You raise me up to walk on stormy seas;
I am strong when I am on your shoulders;
You raise me up to more than I can be.

There is no life – no life without its hunger;
Each restless heart beats so imperfectly;
But when you come and I am filled with wonder,
Sometimes, I think I glimpse eternity.

You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains;
You raise me up to walk on stormy seas;
I am strong when I am on your shoulders;
You raise me up to more than I can be.

You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains;
You raise me up to walk on stormy seas;
I am strong when I am on your shoulders;
You raise me up to more than I can be.

You raise me up to more than I can be.