I love my friends. I can’t imagine what my life would be like without them. There are friends who live in town and whom I see regularly – they are the spice of my life and make everything twice as wonderful. There are also friends I don’t see very often, except for when they are visiting – like Peter Criswell in the photo here; he was one of our first retreatants at LifePath, several years ago! – or when I travel to visit them. Those encounters are always something I look forward to, and they never fail to be a source of insight and sheer joy.

It’s so easy to take the presence of our friends for granted. It’s common to unknowingly test their patience and to see them as mere ‘validators’ of our actions, rather than as the invaluable observers and participants of our comings and goings. We get used to them being there, whether they live in a different country or right next door. Once we get used to their presence, showing them our gratitude (or manifesting it verbally) may very well slip our minds.

Wouldn’t it be great if you took some time this week to consciously go through your friend list and make it a point to show each of them how grateful you are for their friendship? You can just tell them, or write them a letter, or call them. If you live close to them, ask them what they would like to do and treat them to an afternoon of fun. Bring them flowers, wine, books or chocolate – celebrate and acknowledge the blessings they bring to your life.

I’d love to read your friendship stories at docbeverly@aol.com. ​