You are a reflection of the company you keep. I have always found this old phrase to be quite interesting. Over the years, I have realized the truth and beauty within this very statement. As we get older, we tend to surround ourselves with those people in whom we share common interests with, who mirror us in our current stages of life. Maybe it is the comfort of familiarity and stability. Often times though, I hear people say that at a certain point in life, they are not interested in making new friends. They have formed their friendships and relationships over the years and don’t feel the need to open their hearts and minds to meeting new people. While this may work well for some, I personally don’t like limiting myself from more meaningful relationships in my life. I am always open to the idea of forming new friendships and meeting new people. Because again, if we are a reflection of the company we keep, as we grow and evolve on a personal level, the types of connections we seek and the qualities we look for in our friendships may evolve with us, right?
Maintaining quality friendships can be tough. This may be a prime reason why we may be hesitant to the idea of making new friends. Let’s face it, as we get older, there is not much time left after we knock out our everyday routines. I’ve personally gone through many life transitions which have included parting ways with certain friendships and opening my heart to blossoming new ones. As I reflect back on the last several years, I am truly thankful not only for the quality friendships I have maintained but also to the newer friendships I have been blessed with through different stages of my life. For each and every one of these relationships, I am so thankful. I am also thankful for friendships that faded over time. Although they may not have been meant to last forever, they served an important purpose in my life at that certain stage and allowed room for me to open my heart to new friendships. Although I am someone who embraces quality over quantity, I don’t necessarily believe there is a cap on the number of friendships we can or should make. Instead I do my best to make an effort with each and every relationship in my life that is worth maintaining and am content with those relationships that may be temporary for that period in my life. There is always room for personal growth with both kinds of friendships. As a transplant who has moved to new cities, I am thankful for those friends who welcomed me into their lives and homes. I am also thankful to the friends who have stuck by me through these transitions and continue to want to be a part of my life.
So how do we maintain our old friendships and learn to embrace new ones? Effort and consistency are key. We all have busy lives but making the time to check in on these relationships, letting them know you are thinking of them whether through a quick text, phone call or simply expressing your gratitude is a good start. At the end of the day, a little bit does go a long way. I’ve learned over time that anything worth keeping in life requires some degree of effort and when it comes to meaningful friendships and relationships, the effort is invaluable. Next time you happen to meet someone new, keep an open heart and mind about allowing this person into your life if there is a connection. You never know when this temporary interaction may turn into a beautiful everlasting friendship.
