Giving Yourself Friends

Every major leap I've ever taken in life has been, in part, thanks to the support of a network of friends who were "watching my back" at the time.

When I went skydiving--a feat that terrified and exhilarated me--it was my brothers I called soon after safely landing. When I was ready to birth my first book, it was a beautiful circle of nine soul sisters representing every different aspect of my life who acted as midwives. When I went on a three-month cross-country trip with my husband and left everything that was familiar to live out of the back of our car, it was a network of fellow yoga students who were able to give me the send-off I needed most.

Only recently have I recognized that being a good friend isn't so much about what we do to help another as it is our willingness to let another into the very depths of our soul. When we trust the universe enough to be honest and vulnerable, we give the greatest gift we can possibly give.

To ourselves, this gift is the opportunity to receive real, honest love. To others, the gift is an invitation--if they choose to accept--to also be equally honest, vulnerable and real with us.