Tip #19: Nourish your friendships

 

I will make this a very short post but, hopefully, meaningful. Here's a quote from a book I haven't read yet, but I already love his author, Shawn Achor (and not just because of his name). He is the speaker in one of my favorite TED talks I have seen so far: The happy secret to better work. The book title is The Happiness Advantage: The Seven Principles of Positive Psychology That Fuel Success and Performance at Work and here's the quote: 

In a study appropriately titled “Very Happy People,” researchers sought out the characteristics of the happiest 10 percent among us. Do they all live in warm climates? Are they all wealthy? Are they all physically fit? Turns out, there was one—and only one—characteristic that distinguished the happiest 10 percent from everybody else: the strength of their social relationships.

There is much more that I would like to write about friendship and its importance, but today I just want you to ponder that quote, as I reflect on my wonderful weekend. I just came back from a super fast trip to meet some amazing and incredible women who I had known only online before. We all belong to this group that is called "Metastatic Breast Cancer Babes" within the My Crazy sexy Life Community. I just cannot even begin to explain what these ladies have meant for me since the moment I joined the group. Granted, it is is not a club you want to be a member of, but once there, you will find so much knowledge, love, compassion and, yes, friendship. It was an amazing experience to finally meet some of them in person, as we already are so close to each other. It was just beautiful to be able to actually hug each other, hear them laugh, and see their smiles.

And, I just want to say "thank you" to all my other friends, the ones who read this blog particularly. My life is definitely better because of you. I do not need any study to tell me that.

So, today, I just have a suggestion: call a friend. Have a cup of coffee (or green tea) with them. Enjoy their company. Be happier for it.

And, hopefully, you still won't think I'm totally sappy.