Ten Things My Best Friend Has Taught Me

I've been thinking a lot about my blog topics now and wondering what the heck to write about that doesn't have to do with eating and/or the daily happenings of my life. I was catching up on the blogs I read about once a week and was directed to a new one that I really love. She writes about plus-size fashion and food; who could ask for more?! While reading some of her archives, I came across a wonderful blog idea that I can't help but use. So, for the first of quite a few blog entries, I'm happy to write about my best friend Craig. Craig and I have been best friends for almost ten years and he is one of the most important men in my life (the other two are Papa and Kalem, of course). He has taught me many more than ten things during this time. I am a better person for knowing him. So, without further ado:

Ten Things That My Best Friend Has Taught Me

1. Every one has a creative side. Somewhere, deep inside of me, is someone who longs to create. I just need to let her out every once in a while. Just having a conversation with him makes me frantic to write or sew, anything to feel innovative.
2. Every one deserves kindness. Craig is one of the kindest people that I have ever met. He has the capacity to treat everyone well, even when it's not deserved. He has such a forgiving spirit and I try to be as understanding as him.
3. Put on a happy face. Even if I don't feel it, I've learned to fake it until I do. Sometimes I just have to smile to make things look less bleak and see things more positively.
4. Distance and time do not damage true friendships. A true friend is someone you can see or talk to after many months go by and things are just the same. Sadly, we don't see each other often, but we pick up right where we left off when we do. True friendship can stand almost any test. I've also learned that it cannot be forced--real friendship either is or is not.
5. Go with your gut. Craig has taught me to trust my intuition. When we first met, Craig knew we'd best friends and even though I thought he was nuts, he was right. He's taught me to trust that inner voice. When I first met Kalem, Craig told me to just trust myself. If I'd listened to him I would have saved myself some time and angst!
6. Take pictures. We've been friends forever and have only about three pictures together! I wish we'd been more proactive about documenting our time together. Looking back, I'd love to have pictures of us making scampi at his house and enjoying choir classes together, among other good times. Even though it's not obvious in this relationship, Craig has taught me the value of taking photos. :)
7. Never, ever, ever give up. He has an uncanny knack for following his heart and fighting for what he believes in. I wish I had his commitment and courage. Craig has an unbending belief in the power of love and it's apparent in the immense amount of energy and love he gives to those he cares about. No one could ask for a better friend.
8. Just dance. Through Craig's own passion for dance I've found my own. Not for flipping in the air and all that craziness he's talented enough to do, but just for going with the beat. I love belly dance now because of him; I never would have had the courage to take a class if he hadn't encouraged me. Even when it's not organized movement, I love to just turn on something that makes me groove and just dance everything away.
9. Never forget those who help you. I truly believe that Craig doesn't forget one person who has helped him in the past. He has a large network of people who love and care for him and no one ever feels unappreciated by him. Because of him, I write as many thank-you notes as I can because every kindness shown deserves appreciation.
10. The best is yet to come. I mean this in terms of our friendship as well as our own futures. Craig is one of the people in my life who teach me to hope beyond hope. He has so many big goals that I know he can accomplish. He has taught me to never settle for ordinary.

I had a great time doing this; it has helped me remember just why I need him in my life. Stay tuned for the lessons I've learned from other people in my life. I'm so blessed and fortunate to be surrounded by so much good.