Three Types of Friendships 🌟

Having a night swim with friends to play in the bioluminescence - it was so cool, like millions of stars under the water!

This is my most favorite quote about friendship!

“We cannot tell the precise moment when friendship is formed. As in filling a vessel drop by drop, there is at last a drop which makes it run over; so in a series of kindnesses there is at last one which makes the heart run over.”  ― Ray Bradbury

Aristotle highlighted the significance of friendships by categorizing them into three types:

1. Advantage Friendships: These tend to be a little on the shallow and self-centered side and can be short-lived. When the benefits disappear, so does the friendship.
2. Pleasure Friendships: These involve people you enjoy spending time with, such as drinking buddies, book club members, or teammates. They bring joy and camaraderie into your life.
3. Character Friendships: The deepest form of friendship, these are built on trust and time. They are based on virtues you recognize in the other person and involve genuine care and sharing of your inner life.

Perhaps the most enriching friendships are those where we are dedicated to helping each other make inner progress. These friendships help us understand ourselves and the world more deeply, ultimately making each other better human beings.

Now...your life, your version, your plan...

Nurturing Advantage Friendships

There is nothing to be embarrassed about, we all need things from people. This post is about when I needed something.

• Show Appreciation: Regularly express gratitude for the benefits and support you receive. This can help maintain a positive relationship.
• Be Reliable: Honor your commitments and their time; be dependable and don't ask for too much, too often. 
• Communicate Openly: Keep the lines of communication open and address any issues promptly to avoid misunderstandings. Stop 'brain picking" - start 'tapping into their brilliance' and remember that you have (and should) offer something back - cue in the Law of Reciprocity. 

Nurturing Pleasure Friendships

Check out this post where I write about getting past 'catch-up' convos.

• Plan Regular Get-Togethers: Organize activities or outings that you both enjoy, whether it’s a dinner, a movie night, or a hobby-related event.
• Celebrate Milestones: Acknowledge and celebrate each other's achievements and special occasions to strengthen the bond.
• Share Interests: Engage in shared hobbies or interests, and explore new ones together to keep the friendship lively and enjoyable.

Nurturing Character Friendships

My bestie and I help make each other better, and have a bunch of fun along the way with some of the odd things we do, as evidenced here.

• Invest Time: Spend quality time together and be present during your interactions. This deepens trust and understanding.
• Be Supportive: I'm guessing you already offer emotional support during difficult times and celebrate successes together. I bet you show empathy and understanding in your conversations and it's just easy to be in each other's presence. 
• Encourage Growth: Support each other’s personal growth and self-improvement efforts. Engage in meaningful discussions that help both of you understand yourselves and the world better.

Have a friendly day,  Steph 🙃

PS - PODCAST alert! "We’re thrilled to release our latest episode, “Embracing Authenticity: The Power of Self-Compassion in Nurse Leadership,” featuring the incredible Stephanie Staples, CSP.  Join us as Stephanie dives deep into the transformative power of self-compassion and its crucial role in nurturing authentic leadership in nursing. Whether you're a nurse leader or aspiring to be one, this episode is packed with insights and strategies to empower you and elevate your leadership journey. Tune in now for a dose of inspiration and practical wisdom that you won’t want to miss!" Dr. Amy Funderburk