I had a great conversation with my best friend, Lisa, recently.  We were talking about friendships and getting older and what we really want out of our friendships as we age.

She said something really profound and it went something like this: As I get older, one of the biggest requirements for a friendship is a sense of ease.  Things don’t need to be drama filled or difficult with people who are really your people.

And I couldn’t agree more.  Life has enough turbulence in it, shouldn’t our friendships be a safe space?  That isn’t to say that there won’t be disagreements here and there, but the mark of a true friendship is one that can survive storms - not by letting them blow over - but by talking them over - leaving space for each party to respectfully share their truth.

I know for me, as I get older, I have less and less patience for situations in which I feel passive aggression or poor communication or wild, unsaid expectations.  I want to sit in a room with my people and be able to take up space, say what I need to say lovingly, and not be asked to shrink because I’m making someone a little uncomfortable by just being who I am.

Our authentic tribe will relish in our truth.  It will uplift us when we need encouragement.  It will listen as we share our dreams and tell us the truth when we falter from them.

We can pour into relationships because they are available and they are what we know, OR we can seek out and pour into relationships that will nourish us into our best selves.

For me, I have many acquaintances.  I love that because I LOVE people.  SO MUCH.  But when it comes to my friendships, they need to be able to flow.