Friendship

What being a friend at all times can look like

What being a friend at all times can look like

Friendships haven’t always been easy for me. In high school I really struggled with not fitting in and not having close friends. I had low self-esteem and was so self-conscious. The harder I tried to get others to like me, the more I pushed them away. It was painful and there were many tearful drives to school as I contemplated another day of feeling insecure amidst my peers, wanting nothing more than to belong. I wondered if I would ever make friends or be accepted for who I was. 

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A Closer Look: A Conversation About Bipolar Disorder

A Closer Look: A Conversation About Bipolar Disorder

I had the pleasure of meeting Susan about seven years ago during Bible study. Our group grew close quickly as we studied Ephesians and Philippians together. It didn’t take long for our friendship to be cemented and for us to share deeper about our lives. Somewhere during those first years of Bible study together, Susan began to open up about her mental health. Her courage and boldness while recounting her journey with bipolar disorder inspired me.

The Power of Connection

The Power of Connection

Growing up in a Puerto Rican household I could count on several things to happen when family came to visit. There would be a lot of food, it would be loud, and the women would inevitably end up gathered together, aware of, and in tuned to, only each other. I found my mom and aunts fascinating. Their conversations would flow from English to Spanish back to English effortlessly, sometimes comprised of laughter, sometimes tears, sometimes looks I knew not to interrupt. Often all of the above.

Find Your Tribe, Love Them Hard

Find Your Tribe, Love Them Hard

After hearing me speak at the Christmas Tea this last year, a woman walked up to me and asked, “Will you be my new best friend?” While others might have recoiled at this bold question, the woman had totally endeared herself to me, and I wanted to reply, “Sure I will!” I am a serial friender, an instant connector. Now, you may not be wired like me, but the truth still stands: friends are essential, even if you’re intimidated by the thought of having to make new ones.