"Our greatest wealth is not found in what we own, but in the friendships that sustain us, support us and give our day meaning"
"Friends are the family we choose for ourselves"
This past week, I had the privilege of celebrating another birthday. As I have shared here before, I now find myself on what many would call the “back nine of life.” It is a time that naturally invites reflection on where we have been, what we have accomplished, and, most importantly, what truly matters.
We often measure success by what we have accumulated: titles, achievements, or material wealth. But I have come to realize that the true measure of a life well lived is not found in those things, but rather, it is found in the people who stand beside us, the friends who call us to check in, who show up without hesitation, and who make time for us no matter how busy life becomes. I consider myself incredibly fortunate. What I have more than anything else is a richness of friendships. I am surrounded by individuals who genuinely care about me, my family, and my happiness. That, to me, is a form of wealth far greater than anything money can buy.
Too often, we take our friendships for granted. It is easy to assume they will always be there, steady in the background of our lives, until the moment comes when we truly need them. When that moment arrives, we are reminded just how invaluable those relationships are to our happiness. But friendship is not a one-way street; as much as we rely on others, we carry an equal responsibility to be there for them; to listen, to support, and to show up when it matters most.
So today, I offer a simple challenge to each of you: take stock of your friendships. Reflect on the people in your life who mean the most to you. Ask yourself – are you ready to drop everything for them, just as they would for you? Because in the end, it is not the things that we have that define us, but the connections we nurture. Our friends are not just part of our lives; they are essential to our happiness, our resilience, and our sense of belonging.
Let us never lose sight of that truth.