What Your Best Friendships Say About You

Read time: 2 mins

QOTW

"Admiration is often a recognition of something deeply familiar within ourselves." – Steven Pressfield

In this week’s dose, I share how best friends can be our biggest role models.

The other day I was thinking about how my closest friends are each role models to me in their own way. As I sat reflecting on what I admire about one of my closest friends, I realized that part of our relationship is the fact that I am drawn to certain qualities in him. I find the way he approaches specific areas of life inspiring—it’s a way I aspire to live. I had never thought about it that way before.

But I realized it doesn’t just say, “I like John because of xyz…”—instead, it says there’s more to the story. The reason I’m drawn to that quality in HIM is because it resonates with how I’d like to show up in my own life. Not out of jealousy, not to impress anyone else—but because it aligns deeply with how I view my best self. It was eye-opening.

It felt like a message hidden in plain sight and something I wanted to explore further.

So I wrote out a list of the people closest to me and a second list of the 1-2 things I admire most about each of them: their sense of adventure, self-belief, confidence on the dance floor, kindness, unconditional love, integrity, strength, connectedness, intelligence, professionalism, thoughtfulness, giving, stage presence, intentionality…

I realized that not only have I surrounded myself with people who help me become better, but I see myself drawn to these characteristics for a reason. It’s as if my highest Self is telling me: “This is who you are at your core. These are the qualities waiting to be fully expressed in you.”

I believe the magnetism I feel toward these people and their qualities is there for a reason—otherwise, I just wouldn’t be drawn to them.

It’s kinda like your favorite color or favorite band. You don’t know WHY they are your favorite—they just are. You couldn’t change them for any amount of money. At some level, beyond what we can explain with science, you are drawn to those things. To me, it’s the same type of magnetism.

So, I like the idea that it’s my soul or highest Self’s way of showing me what my true nature is and what is possible for me in this lifetime—IF I choose to accept the call and embrace it.

It’s another way that life becomes a mirror for me.

Try this:

Write down a list of the top 5-10 people in your life (any age).

For each, write down the top 1-2 things you admire most about how they live and their personality.

Sit with those for a moment and see how those qualities are a reflection of the best version of YOU.

Take a moment to reflect on how those qualities are already part of you, even if they haven’t fully emerged yet. Imagine what life would look like if you allowed those traits to shine through even more.