TRUE WEALTH

If there is anything I have gained in my life, it is true wealth, and I am not talking about money, as I am not blessed with a lot of money, but what I am referring to is that I am wealthy in terms of the quality of relationships and truly wonderful friends in my life.

When I was diagnosed with mental health issues many years ago, I lost some friends around that time. They were fair weather friends, around for a good time, but shallow when it came to caring and riding the roller-coaster of life. My brother David gave me some wise advice around that time. He told me to surround myself with good people and I consciously took that on board and was wise enough to know that if you want good people in your life, you must first of all be a good friend and supportive ally to those whom come into your life.

Mt friend Adrian, whom was my housemate when I was first diagnosed, has been a wonderful support over many years. When I was diagosed Adrian was having a battle of his own with a brain tumour and I decided to move home because we both needed care, but in our separate circumstances neither of us could care for the other the way we needed. Adrian and I have seen one another at our absolute worst, and at out absolute best, and never have we judged the other. If I could I would like to bottle the formula of Adrian’s friendship and non judgement as alot of people could learn from it. To this day Adrian remains one of my greatest supporters and we never take one another for granted.

I am also blessed with a lot of strong, supportive female friends in my life, whom I have met, through, study, work and church. God has truly blessed me and I truly love and value the role models that these friends are. There are too many of you to name but you all have enriched my journey immensely.

I was also blessed with a wonderful man, whom was my father figure after my dad sadly passed. His name was Michael Fleming and he was amazing, a truly beautiful, caring soul and very wise. Whenever I now face a conundrum in my life I ask myself, what would be Michael’s advice and usually I intuitively receive an answer. Michael Fleming reminded me of my Dad in so many ways and often I had a sense of de ja vue when he was around. I believe in angels, and know Michael, just like Dad was in my life for a reason.

Evertime I see Susanna I know she is an angel in my life too and whatever happens Susanna will always be my angel, in this life and the next.

I have also made some truly good Christian friends through Brunswick Baptist Church, including Russell, Jennifer and Carl and Gisele. I literally pinch myself that God has blessed me with truly wonderful Christian friends.

I guess the point I making is if you are hoping to have good people in your life, become a good friend to those who come into your life.

Everyone comes into our life for a reason, some only for a season, and some forever more.