Yesterday, I had an opportunity to do a favor for two dear friends of mine. It was nothing major to me but it mattered to them. Truthfully speaking, the situation provided me the opportunity to spend time with my two friends. They are the sweetness Married Couple I have met in a long time.  They are both positive lights in my life and I treasure their friendship with me immensely.

Without going into the private details of other people’s lives, I got to spend the afternoon having lunch and talking with both of them about my life their lives and the challenges we face.

Listening to their stories, laughing with one another, sharing a delicious pizza together literally made my ordinary day feel special somehow. I got to watch the joy and beauty of an older married couple who live their lives in sync with one another as they deal with life’s challenges with grace and a sense of humor.

I was reminded yesterday that we all have challenges in life. The important thing is how you face those challenges. My friends reminded me how wonderful it can be to have a partner to share your life with and build memories with along the way. They gave me hope that as long as I am alive, I too can find a love like theirs if I am willing to put in the hard work they have with each other.

As I have made this Tuesday’s posts about being grateful in some way or another, I am happy to include these two friends as people I am grateful are in my life’s orbit.

I am also reminded of the important but often overlooked matter of being selective about who you allow to become close friends in your life’s orbit.  I know first hand that those around you consciously or unconsciously impact your world and your thinking.

During this chapter of my life, I don’t have time for people or situations that are negative or draining. I have come to realize that the more positive people you have in your orbit, the healthier your own life will be. I understand that we all have challenges and friendships can be tested. However, if the majority of people in your life are dragging you down with their negative energy, you need ask yourself what is the lesson I need to learn and learn it so that other people’s negativity takes you down with them.    

At the same time, if you surround yourself with positive people who you can laugh with, share your joys and sorrows and still leave their presence feeling happy and with a smile on your face, these folks are keepers!

I learned the hard way, it is not my job to save other people from themselves and I don’t need anyone to save me.  I can take care of myself quite well all by myself.

As I have said many times, I am happier now more than I have ever been in my life.  I know much of that has to do with the healthy impact positive people have had on my thinking about myself.  

I am trying to train myself not only to be grateful for the positive friendships in my life but to nurture those relationships. Letting the people you care about, whether family or friends, know you care about them is vitally important.

Life can change on a dime. People die often suddenly and unexpectedly. Leaving things unsaid leads only to regret if the unthinkable were to happen.  I try to tell my friends and family through my words and or actions that I love them. The first reason for this is so that they never have to question their value to me. The second reason is so I never have to regret not saying it before it is too late.

Choose wisely who you spend your time with. The people you have in your orbit affect you much more than you may realize.

Choose folks that make you happy.

Choose to be HAPPY no matter what.