Even the strongest of friendships need recharging from time to time. Here are 4 FANTASTIC friendship status quotes and that could be gamechangers for those relationships that are closest to your heart and soul.

Henry David Thoreau
“The language of friendship is not words, but meanings. It is an intelligence above language.”

Recharge #1: Know the LOVE LANGUAGE of those close to you.

After decades spent counseling couples, Dr. Gary Chapman discovered that there is a pattern in the relationship problems that people experience.

Love Languages

The emergent pattern showed 5 different lenses through which all humans view love. Each individual’s lens, or love language, determines which things make them feel loved, and also the things to which they are innately drawn in expressing their love.

We each have primary and secondary love languages, which impact our perception of others’ love for us. These love languages include the following:

Acts of Service
Quality Time
Gifts of Love
Words of Encouragement
Physical Touch

Wondering what your love language might be? Or not quite sure what the love language of your bestie might be? Here’s a link to the five love languages quiz that you both can take:

http://The Love Language™ Quiz (5lovelanguages.com)

Fluidity with this concept bleeds over into all of your other relationships as well. Check out this related blog to learn more about this idea:

Acts of Kindness involves the demonstration of love through doing things for others.

The language of Quality Time is denoted by the value of time spent together. Often it matters far less what you’re doing or where you’re doing it. What is fulfilling is just the time spent together.

The individual who thrives on Gifts of Love feels appreciated and valued when others put effort into gifting her with reminders of how much she is being thought of.

A genuine compliment, recognition of achievement, “I believe in you”, etc., will fill up the Words of Encouragement heart. Hearing these types of words can carry this person through a stormy season, or even just a long day.

The sentiment behind the love language of Physical Touch is affectionate displayed through touch. A back rub, a touch of the hand, a hug…….each is a display of love that speaks mightily to him. For more details on understanding the power of Love Languages for your friendships, romantic relationships, children, etc, click here:

https://www.5lovelanguages.com/

Khalil Gibran
“Friendship is always a sweet responsibility, never an opportunity”.

Recharge #2: Practice BRAVING with yourself first, others second.

Leading researcher in human behavior, Brene Brown, goes into great detail about the crucial impact that our dealings with ourselves have on our relationships.

Braving

This acronym is a reminder of dealing with ourselves in a healthy manner, which then allows the extension of strength and health into our friendships. It goes like this:

Boundaries

Reliability

Accountability

Vault

Integrity

Non-Judgement

Generosity

Do I set clear honest boundaries that represent truth in the moment?
Do I see reliability in that I do what I say I am going to do not once, not twice, but consistently?
Do I take responsibility for my thoughts, feelings, and behaviors and do I let others take responsibility for theirs without making excuses? Am I accountableenough to resist blaming, justifying, rationalizing, etc?
Do I hold in confidence the things that are shared with me, and avoid over-sharing with others simply to create connection? Am I as dependable as a vault in holding things safely inside?
Do I demonstrate the integrity to live by my personal set of self-determined well-defined morals and values, as opposed to just talking about them?
Non-judgement is something I practice if I see myself falling apart and needing help. I’m okay with asking for help.
Generosity in this context consists of giving the benefit of the doubt and being generous in forgiving myself.

The bottom line is that we can’t give what we don’t have. Let that sink in! I’m going to say it again….

We can’t give what we don’t have!

If we truly desire to build up your relationships to be empowering and impactful in the lives of those we love, we must first practice these defining factors in relating to ourselves.

These concepts tend to intertwine. Struggle and victory will often happen in waves. Progress will not be linear. However, strength will grow and as we become the best version of ourselves, we become a mirror reflecting power and peace into the heart and soul of those we most care about.

Amy Poehler
“Find a group of people who will challenge and inspire you; spend a lot of time with them, and it will change your life.”

Recharge #3: Implement inspiration by zoning in on FRIEND-DATES.

The difference between a friend who leaves a life-changing imprint, and the one who remains a mere acquaintance is the level of investment. Committing to inspiring someone takes time and mindfulness.

Friend Dates

Here are just a few ideas of ways you could perhaps uplift someone special through inspiration that reaches down deep into the level of heart and soul.

Date Option #1:Read A Book

This could be approached any number of ways. You could take turns choosing books. You could brainstorm together and collectively choose your booklist. Book choice could involve informational, self-help, classical, entertaining, etc. You could read out loud to one another, or agree to discuss chapter together once a week. This allows time together laughing, crying, questioning, growing. Powerful stuff. Here are a few quick ideas to get you started!

Personal Growth

Anything by Brene Brown:

https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=books+by+brene+brown&FORM=HDRSC3

Mindset Carol Dweck

Who Switched Off My Brain? Carolyne Leaf

Dave Ramsey’s Complete Guide to Money Dave Ramsey

The Power of Moments Chip and Dan Heath

Still Jenny L Donelly

The Five Love Languages Dr. Gary Chapman

Comedy

Here are some ideas to get the “tears of joy” rolling:

https://www.vulture.com/article/funny-comedy-books.html

Classics

Here are some rather stereotypical “girl-type” classics:

Jane Eyre

Pride and Prejudice

Wuthering Heights

Little Women

Sense and Sensibility

Here’s a link for a more comprehensive list of “the greats”:

https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/449.Must_Read_Classics

Myster

Here’s a link to a top 10 mysteries list:

https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/111006.Mystery_Writers_of_America_Top_100_Mystery_Novels_of_All_Time

Date option #2: Share a playlist

Playlists of all kinds are available from many sources. I use Spotify. There’s also Pandora, Youtube, Apple-Play, etc. Find one that might be especially helpful or encouraging, or that would simply bring joy to a friend. My pals and I love 70’s and 80’s song, and send them to each other all of the time. You could also create a special playlist created just for the two of you to share.

date option #3: pass on a quote

Email, text, message a meaningful quote daily, weekly, monthly, etc. These could revolve around resilience, humor, affection, you name it. I have quotes and mantras in frames sitting around my house and classroom. These are powerful for me. The options are endless upon googling.

Date option #4: Watch a movie together

With all of the technology available today, this is even easy to do long-distance. Once a month, or on special holidays watch a movie together.

Our family has watched war movies together on many Memorial Day weekends. For many years, we watched White Christmas every Christmas Eve with a family who was spending the holidays by themselves. In fact, shared movies are a staple at our house. When our kids were little we had limited funds. A candy bar at the gas station, a cozy blanket and pillow, a dark room with a single lamp glowing and a great movie was a cheap way to unwind on the weekend. My daughters and husband quote entire movie scenes spontaneously and it is pretty hysterical.

Revisit old memories watching one of these iconic “bestie faves”, or cozy up and rewatch one of your own faves from over the years!

Here’s a list of top 100 movies of all time:

https://www.imdb.com/list/ls055592025/

Here’s a list of some great “bestie” movies:

Beaches

Barbara Hershey and Bette Midler

The beauty of a friendship spanning a lifetime is that it has withstood the good, the bad, and the ugly. The quiet celebration of the many ways in which our besties file us down, round off the rough edges, and make us better, all while loving us unconditionally. A roller coaster of warm fuzzies, eye rolls, and shedding of tears……my personal fave “bestie” movie of all time.

Steel Magnolias

Dolly Parton, Julia Roberts, Sally Fields, Shirley MacLaine, Daryl Hannah, Olympia Dukakis

Unwavering friendships are the joy and the glue as women navigate the uncharted waters of lifes changes together. What would we do without those friends that have seen our worst self and still choose to stick around. Heartbreaking and hysterical at the same time. My second fave friendship movie ever!

Bridesmaids

Kristin Wiig, Maya Rudolph, Melissa McCarthy, Rebel Wilson, Jill Clayburgh

Girl drama at its best, including competition, jealousy, pretension, love angst, and complete loss of all dignity. Who doesn’t want to be the coolest bridesmaid ever when your bestie gets married? Oh wait, what about her OTHER friend who’s gorgeous, wealthy, and successful…all of which you’re NOT!!!

Legally Blonde

Reese Witherspoon, Selma Blair, Jennifer Coolidge

The beauty of opposites sharing a sisterhood. The iconic “Bend and Snap”! Finding there’s more to you than you thought. Friendship at its comedic best.

Michelle Obama
“Friendships between women as any woman will tell you, are built of a thousand small kindnesses…swapped back and forth and over again.”