PurpAnd

It’s no surprise to me that when I ranked my list of core values (what is most important to me), Family/Friends came out on top. I have great friends and a wonderful family and I feel that I am at my best when I am around them. There’s an unconditional love that exists which allows those close to me to tell me when I’ve screwed up, but it also allows them to guide me when I need direction, and to support me when I’ve stumbled. My uncle once said, “there are just some things that you do for family.” In my family that is very true. We are, as a group, very supportive and generous. We try our best to be there for one another and I’m lucky because not all families are like this.

My family comprises some of the most compassionate people I know and they will be the first ones to remind you that we’re all human and that failure is natural and forgiveness can be powerful. They’ll try their hardest to make you laugh and go to no end to earn a smile. They don’t care if I work a high-powered job, drive a fancy car, or live in a big home, they only care that I do what is right for me and that I am happy. You don’t find that kind of support everywhere so of course I would want to cultivate it and that is why it’s my number one value.

My friends have a knack for knowing what I am thinking/feeling, sometimes even before I know. This makes it easy when it comes to something I need from them because I have such a hard time asking for it. A few weeks ago a bunch of them came to San Francisco for a guys weekend, which was greatly needed. It was a surprise and lots of fun and we just got to be San Francisco tourists for a couple days. My friends are the kind of people who would travel 2,500 miles for a 36 hour visit. They’re the kind of people who would stock their fridge with grape soda cuz they know I love it. They are the kind of people who would say yes to something just because they could see in your eyes that you needed it desparately.

As life continues to nudge me in different directions, it’s my family and friends that remain most constant. I know that they’ll be there when I want to celebrate and when I need to escape. If home is where the heart is, then home is in the company of my family and friends.