Friends and what they mean.

Do you people have a particular friend in your life, which is probably a really good friend if they are to you as I am about to explain it, make you a better person by being in your life. By this I mean do they make you a better person by making you think about the world and everything in it? By talking to them about this and that make you realize things in life you may never have thought about it?

I am lucky enough to have this person in my life for the last 10 or so years but only recently have I realized that this person has actually meant more that I have ever realized. This person has made me self-aware, has made my mind more logical more I don't know how to say it really. Basically my brain has been thoroughly kick started by this person.

Looking back on it now I feel I have neglected this relationship alot, however this has happened for a valid reason. I have not seen this person for over 6 months now as he has been traveling for quite a bit now and his path has taken him out of my daily life. Now that I have realized this and now wish to hang out more I cannot and that pains me now.

i can empathize with your plight. just a few months ago one such friend moved a few states away. people who teach you to in essense see through their own eyes are invaluable. though not physically in my life, i continue to carry his experiences and knowledge with me. he constantly challenged my perspective and forced me to think of alternatives which i normally would have been too lazy to bother with.

we still keep in touch, but its much different when the person is affecting you in such ways on a regular basis.

When I was younger I had this friend. Up until I met him I would always want things my way. If we played a game it had to be one I liked. But one day after he gave in to me complaining about not wanting to do something he wanted to... I realized the value of compremise and compassion. I consider him my best friend.

My friend Louis has mostly served that purpose, but me and awakenedwraith's conversations have been pretty fun in the perspective-changing realm as well.

i would say that the role you are describing has largely been played by my girlfriend. she challenges the way i think, and constantly plays devils advocate to any theory i put forward.

For you, Restless Mind, since you've explained how it's hard for you to find time to spend with this person, I would suggest making one form of contact with him (email, telephone, instant message, letter, w/e) and talk to him with enough care, thought, length, and life that it'll remind him that you're still a good friend of his. Do this from time to time until you guys can get back to the casual hang-around friendship you apparently lost now that his life is so complicated.