But it got me thinking about what matters to me when it comes to friends and relationships.
The thing is, I don't really care whether he is CEO or not, whether my brother-in-law is VP or not, whether my other friend makes this or that amount of money a year, how many square meters their house is, how many kids they have, how big their car is, how many books they've read, or how many iron men they've completed.
None of this makes our relationship more or less important, nor does it make them look more or less important in my eyes.
What matters to me is whether they are happy and whether it makes me happy that we are part of each other's lives. When it comes to my family and friends I'm a sensitive person. These relationships are what brings me most joy in life and also most grief.
To me, what counts in a relationship is how we treat each other and whether I feel that I am as important to the person as the person is to me:
- That they would stand up for me if I got in trouble
- That they would be by my side if I got sick
- That they express interest in my life
- That they respond to me when I contact them
- That I feel appreciated by them as I hope they feel appreciated by me
- That they tell me if I've hurt them or otherwise made them feel let down, and that I feel I can do the same
- That they take responsibility for the relationship
- That they would lend a hand if I ask
- That we have fun and wonderful experiences together
- That I am a priority in their life as they are in mine.
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