Handful of Friends

Note to self:

Handful of friends …

By Bernadette Kathryn, LMT, IHLC

I cannot even imagine where I would be today

were it not for that handful of friends

who have given me a heart full of joy.

Let’s face it, friends make life a lot more fun.

~ Charles R. Swindoll

Friends make life a lot more fun and a handful of friends is all it takes! I am so lucky to have a handful of friends that I know are there for me at any time that I need them or want them, just the same as I am there for them. Friends are such an important part of life and they absolutely add vitality to our lives. Family, friends, neighbors, and co-workers are truly an essential part of our Living Fit Lifestyle. We need people, we need to socialize and we suffer when we isolate ourselves. I actually know this from personal experience, I am an introvert and I have a natural tendency to isolate myself ~ not a good idea.

This conversation goes with the concept of Primary Nutrition ~ when we are nourished from all aspects of our life, we are not inclined to use food as a pacifier. When we make friends with people and have satisfying relationships we are not inclined to use food to fill our unmet needs. When we have gratifying social lives we are less inclined to overdo food and drink, we can satiate our desires through emotional connections with friends that will be there for us throughout our lives.

Consider how you feel when you are with friends that you really click with — you are energized, pumped up, and excited when you spend time with them. Having a rich and active social life has been proven to be beneficial to our health in many ways. Our wellness can be appraised on several levels, physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.  Everyone at every age will benefit from a vibrant social life. We learn about ourselves when we are in relationships, we expand our awareness through the eyes of our friends, and we grow as people through shared experiences with others.

According to Forbes Magazine, recent research from San Francisco State University found that people who spent money on experiences instead of material items were happier. Sharing an epic adventure with your tribe can produce memories that will last a lifetime while the excitement of buying a ‘thing’ fades and the thing wears out. Having friends and shared experiences adds much depth to your life.

A few years ago numerous people in my life decided to leave New York City and I realized I needed to make some new friends or I would be very lonely.  So, I took up SCUBA.  I wanted to learn something new, travel and meet new people. I knew that I would suffer if I did not find a way to meet new people and make new friends, I would be lonely. It was a great decision and the timing was right. I found a class that fit my schedule and budget so I could jump in the pool and begin a new adventure.

What do you do to create the balance between your work life and social life? How do you navigate your schedule and look at the big picture so you create a life that you love with time for friends, family, work and adventure?