Someone once said, “Birth is the start of life, beauty is the art of life, love is part of life, death is the last of life, BUT friendship is the heart of life. “Choose your friends with care – they create the environment in which you will either thrive or wither in.

Give everyone the opportunity to be a friend, but share your dreams and goals only with those who value them as much as you do. Our well-being is easily influenced by those around us, and if we can keep this in mind, we will have greater insights into the quality of our social interactions and their energetic effect on us.

As my parents used to say to me, “You are who you hang with.” It wasn’t until the last couple years that I’ve fully grasped what they have been trying to say to me. I have learned that the people you surround yourself with either lift you up or bring you down, they motivate you or drain you, they support you or criticise you.

Most people don’t realise the impact, the type of people you surround yourself with has on your well-being. Of course it sounds like a no-brainer but it’s not always easy.

My point is that it is a whole lot easier to feel good about yourself and to develop habits of happiness when the people around you are already feeling happier. It’s actually a bit contagious. Have you stumbled upon your best friend in life as yet? If not take it from me there’s a lot you missing out on.

To my besties, my life has been blessed with your presence, and kindness of heart, which never fails to reach out to the simplest of souls touching hearts with love and minds with hope. #Fresh-Takers have you captured a special moment of you and all your friends?

Submit your best bestie selfies and they could be featured in next week’s edition of the Estcourt and Midlands News. Send your submissions via BBM @ 2BC8F9C6 accompanied by the name and surname of you and your buddies.