friends – From the Desk of Pennwell Gray

On being your own best friend.

Do you find yourself irritated by selfish partners, friends, and family? Upset because as much as you reach out to them, remembering their important events and what ails them, it’s never reciprocated?

Here’s some tough love. It’s not them. It’s you.

If you find this happening not once, but again and again – what’s wrong with you? Why do you continue to put effort into those who care nothing about putting effort into you?

Yes, we accept people for who they are but at some point, we should cut our losses. We should seek to find partners and friends who meet us where we are. Who step up and be present in our lives. Because it goes both ways.

And if one way is all you’ve been experiencing, maybe it’s time to reconsider your relationships.

At the end of each day, you need to be your own best friend. That’s who you have at the end of any day – and a pet, if you’re so fortunate. Most, not all, people are inherently selfish.

Learn how to thrive alone. Learn how to channel your energy into activities that make you feel good – and give back to the world at large. Appreciate your solitude and manage your time wisely.

Stop focusing on those who continuously let you down and remember – you’re the only one who will be there for you at the end of each day.

Quote of the day.

“Some people aren’t loyal to you. They are loyal to their needs. Once their needs change, so does their loyalty.” – Unknown

Turn off your phone, and tune into your life.

Social media and texting have become central to our daily lives. Many feel the need to check-in when they arrive somewhere, post where they’re having dinner, and much, much more.

I’m not bashing it in anyway and I’ve done the same over the years, navigating the social channels and learning about them for work, not personal, at the start. Had it not been for that, I’d still have my BlackBerry and had remained the Facebook anti-Christ. But I have to say, I love many aspects of these communication vehicles. It’s reconnected me with family and friends, introduced me to people with like interests around the globe, and serves in promoting a lot of good content – when we weed through it. On the flip side, it can also drain our bank accounts when our willpower is low, targeting us through ads that make us want what we never even knew existed. Apple pay, PayPal, Shop – click, it’s mine!

And let’s not discount how valuable social media – as well as texting, FaceTime, and the good old fashioned telephone call – was during the COVID years. It was instrumental in keeping us all connected, professionally and personally.