I am naturally drawn to love, kindness, generosity and selfless acts.  I strive to “do unto others” in my every day life.  I try to surround myself with people who have beautiful hearts, not because I want them to be nice to me; but I want them to inspire me.

I am human and sometimes find myself in those places of “woe is me” and being pessimistic, despite my best efforts to be optimistic and look on the bright side.  So, by having good people around me, they help me see my bright side if I cannot.  I hope to be able to do the same for them when they are down.  That is friendship.

A good friend to me is not someone who offers me anything except the wish to be more adventurous, loving, selfless, generous & thoughtful.  Basically, to make me want to be the best version of myself that I can possibly be.  That is why I married my best friend.

My amazing friend!

A friend recently inspired me.  There was a package in the mail from her and I was like, hmmm…..  I didn’t ask for anything did I?  She is also a photographer and I was wondering if I had (in a fog of fatigue) asked or bought a newborn hat or something from her.  I couldn’t recall.  I opened it to find a sweet note and this adorable mug.  She basically said she saw this, thought of me and thanked me for being a good friend.  *tears* Oh yeah, they started flowing.

It’s amazing how you don’t realize how meaningful kind gestures are until you are on the receiving end.  She inspired me!  I am now going to make more of an effort to do kind things for my friends.  I try to do them for strangers as well, but truthfully, I don’t do enough for my friends.  They are amazing and deserve these random acts of kindness and love.  I want them to feel how I did that day.

A challenge to YOU!

So I urge you to do the same.  Make one of your friends feel amazing!  Send them a card, a mug, a key chain, a mushy text.  It doesn’t have to cost much or anything.  Next time you are in a cute boutique or gift shop, think of your friends and family who may need to be reminded just how amazing they are to you.