Be An Eight

A few years ago I heard a speaker ask the question. “Who are your eight?” Who are the eight that will be at your wed-side, your bed-side and your dead-side. Today, I want you to ask yourself the same question. Who are your eight? And I’ll add this one.. are you an eight?

You may ask, why eight? Well, there are eight friends I believe everyone should have in their lives. Let’s begin!

It’s important to have your eight; however, it’s equally important to be an eight.

1. The Champion
The champion is the person in your life who is always rooting for you no matter what. They think you’re pretty amazing! They cheer you on and believe in everything you do. Even in the moments when you mess up, they’re right beside you. They cheer you up and provide words of encouragement until they see you get out of your funk and thriving again.

2. The Raw & Real
This is the person who will tell it like it is. It’s someone who will not sugarcoat anything for you. If you’re wrong you’re wrong.. no beating around the bush. You will never have to doubt how they really feel because they will always be completely honest with you. They hold you accountable when you mess up. And they will push you to become a better person.

3. The Confidant
This is the one you completely trust with your life. You can confess anything and you know they will go to the grave with it. They do not necessarily have to be your best friend but they are a loyal confidant. The one you call in the middle of the night and you know they’ll pick up their phone, better yet, be at your house. The confidant will hear you out and give you wise counsel. They are level headed and provide the support you need.

4. The Life Of The Party
This person is very outgoing and full of life. They’re an extrovert by nature who loves to have a good time. Their personality is very warm and infectious; you’re guaranteed to have fun when you’re around them. The optimistic perspective that this friend has on life serves as a reminder that the cup is not always half empty but if you choose it could be half full. This friend challenges you to view life from a different angle, focusing on the brighter side of things rather than dwelling on the dull and dark side.

5. The Mentor
A mentor is someone whose journey has inspired you. Someone who has walked down the path you are embarking. They have already done what you are trying to do and are successful. Mentors guide and direct you, helping you to avoid the possible mistakes you could make down the road, saving you tons of time and energy you could have wasted. This person can be a parent, teacher, a spiritual leader, an acquaintance or someone you truly admire. This person leads by example and is pretty admirable. They are here to remind you that you too can accomplish great things.

6. The Adventurous
This friend is always up for a challenge because, why not? Life is short! They are mainly the outdoorsy type who want to run marathons or go hikes. They are very spontaneous and will put together a weekend getaway without too much planning. They are always down for anything. This friend is your reminder that its good to put aside the routine for a moment and try something different, something new. They are great encouragers who talk you out of your fears, who challenge you to go beyond your limits and are great refuters of the many excuses you may have. Having an adventurous friend will get you out of your comfort zone allowing you to experience more to life than what you could or would do on your own.

7. The Crazy Friend
We all need that one friend who is just flat out crazy. They are hilarious, witty, sarcastic and sometimes weird. This person never ceases to amaze you with their humor. Crazy friends are often your funniest friends and they are a great reminder to never take yourself too serious. If you’re feeling uptight, they do a great job of lightening up the mood. You tend to loosen up when they’re around. They help ease the tension that may be in the air, making it a little bit less awkward and more comfortable with them simply being there and being themselves. These people are truly a breath of fresh air and everyone needs a friend like this.

8. The Best Friend
Your best friend is your ride or die. The one who comes to your rescue, the one who defends you, your loyal confidant. You might have one, or maybe a few but when you find this person you definitely have to hold them tight. Unlike the other types of friends, your best friend is the one person who knows everything about you and still chooses you. They have been there for you in the good, the bad and the ugly. They are brutally honest but you take no offense because… well, they’re like a brother or a sister to you. Your best friend carries a lot, if not all of the qualities of the other seven. They challenge you to be a better person. They celebrate your wins and help you overcome your losses. They know you very well and can tell what’s going on just by looking at you. You can’t hide or pretend because they just know you too well. Best friends have each other’s backs no matter what. They're more than best friends, they're family.

My question for you today is which one are you and who are your eight? Who are you walking with? We need people who are authentic, vulnerable, transparent, real and full of character. We need friends who will hold us accountable when it’s needed. Let me ask you this, how much permission are you allowing the people closest to you to speak into the things they’re noticing about you? Are you being completely open and honest with them? It’s important to have your eight; however, it’s equally important to be an eight. Can you honestly say that you are an eight to someone? Do your friends consider you part of their eight? If so which one are you?

Life is sort of a team sport, we have to do this together. It was never meant to be done alone, Life gets hard sometimes and we need each other. Friendships are a blessing from God and we cannot take it for granted nor lose track of the people He has placed in our lives.

I encourage you to self-reflect and and ask yourself what kind of friend you are. Think about your circle and the friends that are currently in your life. What do they mean to you and how do they contribute to your overall well-being? Take some time to define your eight and what role they play. As for me, I can honestly say that I am blessed to have a healthy, well-balanced and purposeful core group.

Based on this list, what kind of friend do you think you are you? Are you missing any of these types of friends in your circle? Let me know your thoughts in the comments section.

Be Encouraged, Be Blessed!

~landypf

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