Shine Theory: ÂŤÂ an investment, over the long term, in helping a friend be their best - and relying on their help in return. It is a conscious decision to bring our full selves to our friendships and to not let insecurities or envy ravage them.
Itâs a practice of cultivating a spirit of genuine happiness and excitement when our friends are doing well, and being there for them when they arenâtÂŤÂ From Big Friendship: How We Keep Each Other Close by Aminatou Sow, Ann Friedman. Such a good book, FitFooters!!! Highly recommend! đ
Relationships and friendships specifically, have a huge impact on both our mental and physical health as well as our quality of life.
This year has certainly given me time to reflect on my friendships and appreciate all the moments we seem to have taken for granted pre-COVID: going for runs in groups and then going out for coffee đ âď¸, attending happy hours indoors at fun restaurants and bars đš, even dancing at a CRAZY FUN hoe-down we found ourselves at after a rodeo one time đ¤ . All of the circumstances around those classic memorable times are altered (at least for now).
Hangouts now happen on Zoom đŠđťâđť,texting each other holds a more crucial space in our lives, and I have even found myself getting out my old stationary supplies and writing honest-to-goodness letters a la Jane Austen. âđť âď¸
Truth is, we need our friends more than ever these days. I took some time this week to reflect on three ladies with whom I was lucky enough to be housemates. đĄ These gems were/are not only a delight to share a house with, they epitomize the Shine Theory. đŤ
They collectively accomplished and overcame so much both before and during a pandemic: from earning a PhD in mechanical engineering (still not 100% sure what that is, even though i attended Courtâs VERY impressive dissertation), to passing Vet School Boards (I totally teared up when Julia got her white coat and took an oath to basically love our dogs as much as we do) to getting married (also cried when Adair and Brady read their personal vows) and getting a major promotion (show her the money, people!)
The past two+ years have been such cool experience for me as I have been lucky to have watched these three women daily focus on their goals, go after them wholeheartedly, and achieve great things. In return, these friends have helped me stay strong and focused while building Sudaâs FitFoot, coming back from a nasty chronic injury, and just the ups and downs of existing in this world living far from close family.
There was always someone there to brew up some coffee, to sit and chat about our feelings at the kitchen table, to open and pour that bottle of Merlot.
It has been an honor, ladies. I am just so darn proud of you all! Carry on being fabulous.
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Call your friends âď¸ and stay well, FitFooters!
Betsy
