"People inspire you, or they drain you- pick them wisely."

- Hans F. Hansen          

        Profound. Far too often we get caught up with the people around us. We live a life according to how people see us and how we see other people. As a young girl my mother gave me some perspective on friends. She said, "We become the people we surround ourselves with." I try to live every minute of my life with this thought in my head. I use "try" strongly. Of course we've all made mistakes. But I have I've striven to surround myself with the people who inspire me, not the people who weigh me down. 

      Who would you rather call a friend, someone who encourages you daily or someone that you have to pull teeth just to get a small compliment of approval? Someone who loves you and others around you or someone that tolerates you when you're around them? Someone that goes after relationships or someone you constantly have to chase to keep their minimal attention. A friend is someone who will spur you onto greatness. It should not be a tiresome task. Or a "one way street". Don't hold on to someone who is draining you of your happiness, your freewill, your sense of judgment, and in some cases even yourself. 

       I'm not telling you to dump everyone in your life that doesn't love you enough. I'm simply encouraging you to relieve yourself of the unnecessary stress and turmoil of a bad relationship. Don't set yourself up for the pain and disappointment that comes with a one sided relationship.

     The first time I read this quote I immediately thought of all the good friendships in my life. The ones that have inspired and continue to inspire me to be a better me. I look back on the ones that drifted apart, like friendships often do with distance and time, and I realized that I have only fond memories. I remember all the birthday parties and the laughs. I remember the meals and the movie nights. I remember the frates and the girls' nights. And most of all I remember the love. It's the friendships with all of these memories that we should hold on to. A relationship shouldn't drain you. If it does, it's time for you to do some reevaluating.