Where do you find the best possible source of energy?
If you struggle to find energy to get through the day, I wrote an article to give you three weird ways to improve your energy. If you missed it you can read it HERE.
Now I want to share with you the most powerful source of personal energy on earth: friendship.
Years ago, after serving my first year as a pastor, I felt drained. The stress was killing me. I even went to the hospital and wore a heart monitor to make sure it wasn’t a physical issue. I was uncertain if I could go on.
In one of those lowest moments, I attended my college reunion. My friends and I gathered in a room and it was as though the years rolled back and we were living together again in our old dormitory. I found myself laughing so hard tears rolled down my cheeks. Stress rolled off my back. I relaxed. And the energy returned. My friends saved my career, maybe even my life, and all they did was be my friend.
Have you discovered the increasing importance of friends as you grow older? I’m not talking about Facebook friends, but real friends who will walk with you through the good and the bad.
As we raised families and built careers, many of us gave in to the temptation to ignore friendships. The lack of time kept our focus on other places. There were more important matters to engage in. We lost track of some good friends.
That’s a problem. I’m discovering as I age, friendships are more important than ever. The drama of life has made me too serious; I need someone to make me laugh. I need someone to tell me I’m a jerk or being arrogant or my zipper is down. I need friends more than ever and so do you.
Don’t take your current collection of friends for granted. When’s the last time you got together? How long has it been since you bought them a cup of coffee? Are you connected with them on Facebook? Take time to make sure you maintain a strong relationship with your friends.
In case you’ve forgotten how important it is to have friends, here’s a quick reminder list:
- friends grieve with us.
- friends inspire us.
- friends correct us.
- friends motivate us.
- friends help us.
It’s easy to see how friends bring energy into your life. Cultivate those friendships. Find lost friends and reconnect with them.
Surround yourself with friends and they will light up your life with energy.