Thursday, April 7, 2016

A to Z- Authentic Inspiration: Friends #atozchallenge






My friends inspire me!  Sometimes they inspire me in ways that I find so crazy!  When I think about those that have crossed my path I am completely thankful.  I have had so many different kinds of friends over the years.  Those that are in my life for moments, those that are in my life for years...and those that are in my life for all time.  Each friend impacts me, inspires me in a different way. 

Some friends inspire me to truly be exactly who I was created to be.  They allow me to be myself.  They accept my mess, they accept my bad moods, and worst ideas.  They help me to believe in myself beyond anything I can believe on my own.  They allow me to see the good, the value, the worth in my role in this world.  They continue to push me even when I am kicking and screaming. 

Sometimes I think that we get caught up in competing and trying to be the best, and we forget to just stop and breathe in the differences that make us unique, that open us up to connection in a way that we can only imagine.  We don't have to compete, my friends they inspire me to just be me.  They inspire me to accept myself for who I am, all my flaws....all my insecurities.  They give me strength, and bring out the truth in my authentic self. 



 “Friendship ... is born at the moment when one man says to another "What! You too? I thought that no one but myself . . .”
C.S. Lewis, The Four Loves







 “There is nothing I would not do for those who are really my friends. I have no notion of loving people by halves, it is not my nature.”
Jane Austen, Northanger Abbey







“When we honestly ask ourselves which person in our lives mean the most to us, we often find that it is those who, instead of giving advice, solutions, or cures, have chosen rather to share our pain and touch our wounds with a warm and tender hand. The friend who can be silent with us in a moment of despair or confusion, who can stay with us in an hour of grief and bereavement, who can tolerate not knowing, not curing, not healing and face with us the reality of our powerlessness, that is a friend who cares.”
Henri J.M. Nouwen, Out of Solitude: Three Meditations on the Christian Life








“Friendship is unnecessary, like philosophy, like art.... It has no survival value; rather it is one of those things which give value to survival.”
C.S. Lewis, The Four Loves 





“I think if I've learned anything about friendship, it's to hang in, stay connected, fight for them, and let them fight for you. Don't walk away, don't be distracted, don't be too busy or tired, don't take them for granted. Friends are part of the glue that holds life and faith together. Powerful stuff.”
Jon Katz



 How do your friends inspire you?  Do you have any friendship quotes that you love? 

9 comments:

Stephanie Faris said...

It is sad that people come and go through our lives. It's tough to find someone who is by your side for the duration. Friendships are so fragile, it seems!

Susan Brody said...

This is such a meaningful post. I'm an introvert, and I don't feel the need to stay in constant touch with my friends. But they understand this. They know that if they ever need me, I'll be right there, and I know the same about them. In HAMLET, Polonius advised: "Those friends thou hast, and their adoption tried, Grapple them unto thy soul with hoops of steel..."

tawnya said...

Love that quote!!!! It is sad that friends have to come and go, but I think it is just telling of who we are as humans. We grow and change, and sometimes our journeys just take us different places.

Anonymous said...

There's been some former friends I wish I hadn't lost touch with, but that's part of life. I still have my two besties and we have loads of fun together. =)

~Ninja Minion Patricia Lynne aka Patricia Josephine~
Story Dam
Patricia Lynne, Indie Author

Liz A. said...

Sounds like you've got some great friends.

Nicole said...

It sounds like you have really great friends, which is a lovely thing. Among the friendship quotes you shared, the ones by Jane Austen and Jon Katz are my favorite. I find that maintaining friendships can be difficult over time, as people either change or remain the same. Sometimes we grow together but then there are friends with whom we grow apart.

A few friendships inspire me to try to be my best self, stay genuine and grounded. I believe that people are in our lives for different reasons and many, for only a season but the ones that are around time and time again are the ones who have an impact on us.

~Nicole

Weekends in Maine said...

Friendships are so important. I most connected with the last quote. I think giving your time and full attention is the best gift.

@WeekendsInMaine
Weekends In Maine

Bevimus said...

What an awesome post! Having gone through some pretty intense hardships of late in my life I've come to appreciate my friendships on a whole new level- they really are what makes life worth living!

tawnya said...

Thanks everyone for stopping by!!! So great to hear from all of you! Love your thoughts and feedback!