I don't know about you, but at the end of everyday its nice to know who my real friends are! I hate to admit it, but I don't think I've always been a good friend. Ugh when I think back on some of my past friendships and the crap I did and said, I want to kick my own butt! Why do we hurt the people we love? I know I have and its not something I'm proud of. High school was hell! Gosh girls can be mean and I know without a doubt I was at times. Its taken me a long time to realize how important real friendships are and how important it is to be grateful, thankful, loyal, honest, and to just be a good friend!
Having said that, I also feel like its important to pay attention to who and where we spend our time. Sometimes friendships just don't last forever and sometimes that's a good thing. As much as I love and will always some of the friends I've made in my life, I know now that I can't spend toooooo much time with them and its best for me to love them from a distance. I believe firmly in the quote "You are who your friends are"! I think without even noticing it, we are kinda like chameleons and tend to become like each other when we are together all the time. I know at times in the past I've taken on bad habits, just because that's what some of my friends did. Weak maybe, but sometimes I don't think I even noticed I was doing it. I've also noticed how when I spend time with people who are far smarter, more talented, more focused, more driven, more together...that I push myself more and work harder at becoming more like them or at the very least learning from them! So I to can take on their GOOD habits! I've watched the negativity just come pouring out of me when I surround myself with negative people! Then I've watched my confidence and attitude change when I'm around people who are positive and happy! They just bring out a better me and I like that ME a helluva a lot better!
Staying fit and healthy has become a part of my life. I want to learn more and more about it every day and I want to become more fit and more healthy than ever! My goals and dreams are a thousand miles long! But time flies by and so I know for me I've got to make the most of every moment. I know the energy and positivity I want to offer my friends and family. I want to be that person that makes them feel good about themselves and offers them hope and maybe just maybe a little guidance. That's who I want to be. I want to be that friend they can count on, believe in, trust in, and know that I have their back. But in return I want them to be that kind of friend as well. I want to take care of myself and be someone to look up to, not look down on. I know that I need those kinds of friends too. Someone who takes care of themselves and is driven to become better and better. So for me I find it much more healthy to spend the majority of my time with people who have goals, dreams, drive, success, hope, and want to become healthier and happier all the time. Then to spend my time with people who hate everyone, are bitter, angry, unhealthy, lazy, unfocused, moody, and have no desire to better themselves or their lives. When I'm around these kinds of people it brings me down and I from time to time will allow their negativity to suck the life right out of me. So like I said "You are who your friends are" and you need to pay close attention to who and where you spend your time. Be the kind of friend you want them to be and hang out with people you look up to and can learn from. Life happens and bad things are gonna happen. People in your life are gonna get hurt and have things that make them sad, and it will happen to you too. You need to be there for them through good and bad! But if there is more bad then good and it becomes a nasty habit of just always being a negative and angry person, than that negativity will wear off on you! That's when you need to decide how much of your time you give them!
I know that I'm healthier and happier because I have made so many great friends in the world of fitness and health! These people have changed me and I've grown so much from them! I'm so blessed to have them in my life and I only hope I can offer them the same in return. These kinds of friends help me want to get up every day and keep working on ME! They make me want to eat better, exercise harder, and be a positive person and not a negative one! I shine and grow in these kinds of friendships! So at the end of everyday I only hope that I continue to become that kind of friend and someone that lifts you up and not brings you down. Hopefully you will be that kind of friend to me too! A solid and strong friendship can be life changing. So be a good friend and find good friends! :) Much love...The photo above is of one my closest friends! Miss Brandee Nielsen! I admire her, love her, learn from her, have grown from her, and I'm so blessed to have her as my friend. Love ya girl! You have forever made my life better! :)
Beachbody Coach Jen Mangum
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