Surround Yourself With Positive People
I have amazing friends. Sadly, I think I take their presence in my life for granted far too often. I forget that not everyone is surrounded by people who are supportive and encouraging. Just read interviews with famous actors, authors, or entrepreneurs. They all seem to talk about how no one thought they would make it and how they were (kindly and well-meant) told how they were just chasing a dream and ought to give it up and go live in the real word.
People, I write about cat poo for a living. If anyone should be told, "Sweetheart, it just ain't gonna happen," it's probably me. And yet I find myself in the middle of people who encourage me, are excited for me, believe in me... their presence in my life is just an incredible daily gift. I'm lucky in that on the days when I can't believe in myself, I've got 50 people waiting in line to say, "That's okay. I believe in you for you."
I love that my friends cover such a wide array. They are writers, runners, mothers, fathers, young, old(er!), artsy, linear, employed, unemployed, single, married, gay, straight, entrepreneurs, dreamers, realists, democrats, republicans, musicians, actors, poets, business people, carpenters, geeks, jocks, cat lovers, dog lovers, opinionated, passive, guy, girl, entertainers, bad cooks, elegant dressers, humble, cocky, rich, poor... the list goes on.
This past week I've spent more time than usual in group meetings or one-on-one sessions or on the phone with people and after every encounter I've walked away thinking, "I'm really lucky to have these people in my life."
Here's a small but fun example of how friends brighten my life. As you may or may not be aware, the Chicago Marathon is next week. (Snicker. As if you could read this blog and NOT be aware...) My friend Lisa brought me a gift bag on Saturday when we met for my last long run before the race. She'd filled the bag with energy drinks, energy bars, jelly beans, cookies, etc. -- all vegan! It was that little "vegan" extra that touched me. I was touched that she went to any effort but the fact that she went out of her way to remember I'm trying to go vegan and support that was so sweet. As was the handmade "Good luck!" card she included. Other friends have offered to organize good luck dinners or are already planning celebration get-togethers.
Whether I'm talking with friends about marketing concepts, discussing ways to raise money for an animal shelter, or just meeting for coffee to chat and talk about life, I'm so pleased at the company I'm surrounded by. Good people with big hearts, infectious laughs, fun ideas, solid morals, and a respect for themselves and other people.
I'm truly blessed to call them friends.
Sunday, October 4, 2009 at 12:34 PM | Dena Harris | 6 Comments | Email Article | Share via Digg | Print Article | tagged friends, positive influences, surrounding yourself with good people in Things to Think About 
View Printer Friendly Version
Email Article to Friend
Reader Comments (6)
Lisa is such a suck-up.
:)
Yeah? Well, it's working... :)
Kim, you crack me up. Kim Who Is Male and Not Female, I remembered.
In all seriousness, I'm going to be pacing this Sunday until I can hear how Dena did. Her training has been exhaustive, exhausting, and inspiring -- I literally can't keep up with her, but proud to know her.
Dena, if I knew you were going to take a picture I would have used more magic markers :)
Go get 'em
My turn to suck up. ('Specially since I called you evil in your blog comments just last week.)
So here it goes: Last week, during a tough day, while kick-starting one of "my personal gratitude sessions" to move out of that space quickly, I was mentally shuffling through a list of important people, pausing to think about what each one adds to my life. When it was time to move on to the person after you, I realized I was really smiling. I'd spent a lot of time thinking about you, and all the different ways your friendship has enriched my own life. Reading this, it occurred to me that maybe it would be nice if you knew that. You bless us too...
Meanwhile, Lisa, great call. While on a good day I might have thought of the goodie bag idea, I'm pretty sure I would have blown right past that vegan idea. And if it had ever crossed my mind, I'd have been the bad friend thinking, "Eeh...she needs this dark chocolate after all this work. Heh. Glad Dena's got friends like you! :)
I wouldn't have been mad about the dark chocolate. Just saying...
You're tops, darlin'!
I think that we are the lucky ones to have a friend like you! Good luck this weekend, as if you needed it. Your well trained and your YOU! That is all you need right there! Can't wait till you guys get home and we have our celebratory dinner. (did I spell that right?)