my friends are my energy

"When I find myself fading, I close my eyes and realize my friends are my energy."

This week hasn't turned out exactly how I hoped it would. Although it's only the second day of the week, it seems that every day has brought on bad news, and I can't help but wonder what tomorrow will bring. I'm not sure if it's just me, but when things like this happen I tend to retreat into my own bubble. I don't feel like stepping out of my comfortable seclusion and trying to be social. But today that wasn't an option. I had already scheduled a one-to-one meeting with someone for morning coffee.

Although I wasn't very excited about putting on a happy face and trying to get to know someone new, I have to admit that the moment she walked in, I immediately felt better. Her bubbly, happy personality made it nearly impossible to stay upset, or to even think about the things that had been bothering me. I was swept up in her positive energy and genuinely felt like my normal self again.

I have always believed in the Spanish proverb, "Dime con quien andas, y te dire quien eres."-- "tell me who you walk with, and I'll tell you who you are." It's the common belief that the people you surround yourself with are a reflection of who you are as a person. But when I left my one-to-one this morning, I realized that there is more to it than that. Friends don't just reflect who you are, they contribute to who you are and remind you of who you are. In a way, you feed off the energy that your friends provide, whether it be good or bad.

Sometimes this is evident in my life just by the types of friends I seek with different experiences. For instance, if something bad has happened and I'm looking for comfort, I know which of my friends I should call. If something funny has happened that I want to share, I know which of my friends would appreciate the story most. That's not to say that I don't share other experiences and feelings with those friends; but rather, that they all have different personalities and energies. When a particular part of me feels drained, I know exactly which one of my friends is best suited to make me feel whole again.

Although I am admittedly an introvert, I'm sure that when things get tough, all of us have a tendency to retreat into the darkness of our own cave. When this happens, recognize it, and force yourself to step out of your comfort zone and call up a good friend. Many times, you don't even have to tell your friend about the situation; just being with them will help lift your spirit and make you feel like yourself again.