What I am most grateful for in this life are the people who fill my days. My family. And my friends. For me, my birthday month is the perfect time to reflect on all the love that I feel. Joseph Parry’s quote is one of my favorites, “Make new friends, but keep the old; Those are silver, these are gold.”
There is an abundance of research for building community. In fact, a Harvard study shows that who you surround yourself with can literally determine your success. Citing 95% of successes, or failures, can be determined by who you associate with. But according to The Pew Research Center, just over 50% of adults “…say they have between one and four close friends.” So, whether you have one or four or ten truly close friends, I hope you have people in your life who share your successes and lift you up when you are down. Those people are your people.
As for my people, I am checking in with them all month. Sharing my latest shenanigans with them and promising to see them soon. Laughing. Hugging, when possible. Having a grateful heart for the people that are helping me to write my own story.