There are two life events that get me thinking about how I live my life and interact with others. Memorial services make me think about what I am doing to influence the world and realize that I don’t understand the mourning process (another post for another day). Weddings get me thinking about who my closest friends are and which ones are lasting relationships. Two of my close friends are getting married this weekend and these thoughts of lasting friendships have been on my mind as a result. The bachelor party was great, but I realized that my friendships are for the most part surface level. If my wife and I were getting married now rather than 5 years ago, it would be easy for me to pick the groomsmen but I have no idea who my best man would be. On the other side of things, I’m not sure I have a friend that would consider me to be his best man either. Am I “Best Man” material?
It’s always difficult to look at yourself when asking tough questions, and if you are like me you are probably overly critical when answering. Just remember that introspective questions are not to point out failure, but to encourage work and improvement in specific areas…
How am I “there” for my closest friends?
How well do I listen to their issues?
What is holding me back from spending time with friends?
How well do I handle the time I do have to growing a lasting friendship?
What makes me feel so disconnected?
Do I really care?
What is the purpose of the friendships I have?
How do I become “Best Man” material instead of another guy invited to the wedding?
I am not saying I want to be the Best Man in a wedding. I’m not really a big fan of standing through the entire ceremony. I do want the friendships that qualify me to that position though. Do you?
