Truism…Some friendships/relationships are worth saving and fighting for. Some are hazardous, toxic, detrimental and out of season; and we need to let them go. So how do you discern what to keep and what to hold on to? I’m glad “you asked…”
First objective: is to put everyone in their proper place. (Compartmentalize)
Everyone is not your friend and/or you are not everyone’s friend. (Meaning you may be a friend to people that are not genuinely a friend to you and vice versa.)
Some are acquaintances/ [close] associates, or what I like to call in the “cordial corner”. Meaning, we are not friends, we are cordial in the presence of one another but I don’t have your phone number, etc. and that’s okay. (Me and the cordial people do very well together because I know where we stand.)
Once you have made THAT distinction let’s now put everyone in their rightful place.
Are they my friend? What do they impart into me? How do they add positively to my future, my life, my mental health, and my overall well-being. Do they ever give constructive criticism? Do they pray, hope, wish, dream with and for me? Are they vested? Do we agree? “How can two walk together except they agree?” Amos 3:3 (Did yall think that was only in marriage?) Hmmmmm…No honey! We have to have something in common in order to agree in marriage, and friendship. (Relationships) If they meet this criteria; let’s see if we can reason together. Let’s make sure that we are in agreement with our relationship—because some of us are assuming friendships unaware or in denial of truth.
Ask the hard questions too: Are they always negative? Never giving constructive criticism? Do they always smile at me and “yes” me about everything? Are they always needy and take even when I say I don’t have but….If they fit this description it’s not their fault. Ask yourself why you need their insincere validation, when you can’t hold them accountable for simply caring about you.
Then you have your seasonal folk/friends/acquaintances/etc…The label is a restriction and a hindrance so let’s not focus on it. Instead, honor, appreciate and respect what and who they were in THAT particular season. Whether good or bad….Seasons come and go in order to grow you. Some seasons are cold, some are hot, some are just right, and we’ll…some come to change the leaves and the perspective of what was……..When you have to force something or spark something and all you have to reflect, embrace and go by is that season…….Move on. It’s okay. “A Time for Everything - There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die.” Ecclesiastes 3
