When we had the health scare with my Dad last week, my friends jumped in to help. I got phone calls and text messages from friends offering to drop everything and come help. In fact, my gem of a friend Gina, sent this message:
My goodness Crystal!! Praying!! I will pick up all the moving parts here for you!!! I can let the dogs out too! Boys will be just be like my own. Dinner, sleeping in guest bed is available if needed. I can run them to school too. What ever you need DON’T hesitate!!
That’s the kind of friend I want to be, but I often miss the mark.
I should spend more time around Gina.
When I had a dream for a new project with HeartStories to connect women entrepreneurs, over a year ago, I told several friends. But three of them in particular, have held my feet to the fire. Every single time I talk with them, they ask me about it.
I should spend more time around Megan, Shannon and Lindy.
It’s not always the big stuff, the noticeable moments.
I could go on and on about how my sisters and friends have shown up for me in every way possible. I could detail how my friends have believed in me enough to give blood sweat and tears to help me make my dreams reality. Most importantly, if I could highlight each of their stories, you’d see women who are living wholeheartedly. They are women who are showing up for their families, their friends and their own dreams of making this world a better place.
As I look at my life, I can’t help but see how much my friends influence me.
They make me want to show up better and more often. They teach me to pursue my dreams, by pursuing their own. They show me what it means to give, love and serve. I don’t even have to think about it, they’re gently nudging me to be the woman I really want to be.
My friends have so much power in my life.
So do yours.
Be careful the environment you choose, for it will shape you; be careful the friends you choose, for you will become like them. ~ W. Clement Stone
You will become like them. And they will become like you. Think about that for a second.
Are you nudging the other women in your life to be the women they really want to become?
Think about a specific friend. Are you holding her feet to the fire to accomplish the things she dreams about? Are you showing up for her when she needs you most? Are you giving her silent permission to pursue her dreams because you are pursuing yours?
It goes both ways.
Who’s shaping you?
Who are you shaping?
It’s worth some thought today.
to more love,
Crystal
photo cred: www.ashhallphotographer.com
