"Authentic" Friendship

I feel like I need to share this for two reasons:

1. My friend should be called out on what a good, kind and sincere women she is!

2. Authentic, pure, real, honest, kind and loving friendships are hard to come by and you all need to know they are out there.

   
   

I just had coffee with a very close friend today… ☕💛

And as I sit here reflecting on it…

I feel incredibly grateful.

You know the kind of friendship I’m talking about? Because I had no idea! Most (not all) of the friendships I thought were 'special" were with "bar friends" and we shared dysfunction. In those types of "friendships," there is no loyalty, integrity or deep meaningful true and honest love. I found that out the hard way when I gave up drinking/bar life.

But this friend I met for coffee today is the kind that feels authentic.

The kind where you can be fully yourself.

~No pretending.

~No drama.

~No judgements.

~No competition.

Just honesty… growth… faith… positivity… and kindness.

We didn’t sit around talking about what everyone else is doing wrong.

We talked about healing.

~Growth.

~Mindset.

~Faith.

~Learning.

~Becoming better women.

We remind each other who we are when life gets hard.

~We laugh.

~We tell the truth.

~We challenge one another in loving ways.

And somehow… I always leave feeling lighter.

More grounded.

More hopeful.

As I’ve grown,

I’ve realized something…

The people you surround yourself with matter.

And maybe I lost the TONS of "drinking buddies" I once had (when I got sober) but that is OKAY! Some relationships keep you stuck in old patterns…and guess what, they are right where I left them 2 1/2 years ago. Sharing only dysfunction & unhealthy habits. I had a TON of those!! I used to think I needed LOTS AND LOTS of people in my life to be "popular," "liked," or "important."

But some.... if you are blessed and lucky enough....some relationships quietly help you become the person you were meant to be.

This friendship means the world to me.

And I just want to say…

What a gift it is to have good people in your corner. They may be few and far between but that is perfect okay with me now. Now the kind of friend I look for is:

~The kind who cheer for your healing.

~The kind who believe in your growth.

~The kind who remind you that peace, faith, and joy are possible.

I’m incredibly grateful for this beautiful woman in my life. 💛(Thank you Kathy! You have quietly and patiently helped me grow into a woman I like today)

I am telling you all this so that you look for those qualities in friendships and if they don't bring that to the table, KEEP LOOKING! They ARE out there!

And in this moment… my heart is full.

Tell me in the comments about your experience with authentic friendships!

#blessed

#grateful

#namaStaySober

~JM