I’m a sucker for romantic comedies.
Combine the transformative magic of love with the crazy-making power of frenemies, and you’ve got the makings for a great flick.
Bride Wars is one of those movies for me. Watching the flashbacks of 8 year old Liv and Emma play wedding makes me nostalgic for my childhood best friend.
We lost touch after high school, but I always wonder what it would be like to still be best friends with someone who’s known me since I was 5. We’d know each others’ secrets – every heartache, every triumph, every dream we’ve ever had. We’d be each other’s cheerleader. And we’d be brutally honest with each other – whether it’s a bit of chocolate on your face, a questionable haircut, or yes, that dress really does make your butt look big. We’d always tell it like it is, with a big dose of humor and love mixed in for good measure.
Every one of us has a life-long friend whose known us since birth. One person who’s been with us through thick and thin and never left our side no matter how crazy life got. That person is You. Maybe you’ve been more like a frenemy than a best friend. Maybe you’ve been a fair weather friend – there for yourself when things are going well but quick to beat yourself up for any failures or shortcomings. Maybe you’ve been your own worst enemy.
But there’s no better person to be your best friend than yourself. People will come and go in your life. And it’s not fair to expect another person to meet your emotional need for love and acceptance. Only you can give that gift to yourself.
And no matter what happens in life, for better or worse, you’re stuck with yourself. If you like yourself as an individual, if you love yourself and cheer yourself on, you’ll live a much happier and more fulfilled life.
So what does it really mean to be your own best friend? Treat yourself with same way you’d treat your best friend; do and say all the things to yourself that you would to her. Support and encourage yourself to make wise choices and go after your dreams. Tell yourself the truth in love. Extend grace to yourself when you make mistakes. Most of all, love yourself as only a best friend could. Because when you truly love yourself, you’re free to truly love others. You owe yourself the gift of unconditional love. You deserve it. And the world needs it.
Have you been your own best friend or your worst enemy? Please leave a comment.
