A close friendship is a treasure. When life gets rough, a true friend is there to give support and encouragement. When we just need to vent, a true friend listens to us ramble. When we have food in our teeth, a true friend lets us know.

Such a close friendship is hard to find. I grew up moving around about every two to three years. I didn’t cultivate deep friendships to lessen the heartache when we moved next. But when I met Sue in my freshman year of college, everything changed. We never lost touch and we continued to grow closer even though physical distance separated us. That was twenty-three years ago.

When I have something weighing heavy on my heart, I can tell Sue and know that she will be praying for me. When she asks how I’m doing, I know she genuinely wants to know the answer … and waits to hear it. When I need a good laugh, being around Sue is a sure-way to get my laughter fill. And when I need to see the bright side of a difficult situation, she offers great truthful insight. Her friendship is priceless to me.

Difficulty abounds in our world today — the struggling economy, uncertainty surrounding so many, marital difficulties, and the threat of job loss. Daily, sadness and fear are flourishing. Too often in the midst of such challenges, we choose isolation instead of friendship.

It reminds me of what I cling to and what my necessary anchors are. I think of what truly matters.

My relationship with God is my ultimate form of peace, security, and guidance. The love and support I receive through my relationship with my husband and daughter blesses me daily. And my friendship with Sue reminds me that a true friendship goes deeper than a situation, miles, or even a season of life. Each looks differently, but all serve a very important purpose.

Take time today to remember what truly matters.

Friendship isn’t a big thing — it’s a million little things.  ~Author Unknown

I’ve started a blog entry a few times this week. Each time, after a few sentences, I’ve hit the “delete” key on the keyboard. Ever feel like you’d wish you could hit the “delete” key on a few things in your day?

A plethora of dental appointments … delete!

Raising my voice rather than taking a moment to breathe first … delete!

The long unmoving line of traffic … delete!

The list of errands I didn’t get to yesterday … delete!

My messy kitchen calling my name … delete!

The important papers I can’t find … delete!

As technology and our society advance, the distractions around us increase. I’ve always been a bit bold in resisting a trend, but when it comes to distractions, I buck fiercely. Life is chaotic enough without added demands and disruptions. The schedule of a parent is busy regardless.

When I fight the urge to hit the “delete” key during my day, I often take time out to think about our next vacation.  I lean back in my chair and close my eyes while I listen to soothing music. I imagine the ocean waves rhythmically splashing to the shoreline. The gentle breeze minimizing the heat from the day while swaying hammocks signal their sanctuary.

In moments, I’m there. I’ve never fallen asleep during these virtual vacations, but when I open my eyes a few minutes later, I feel like I’ve rested. It’s my temporary retreat from the day.

Whether it’s taking a walk, closing your eyes in a chair, or even a hot bubble bath — take a few minutes to retreat from your day or rest on a virtual vacation. It’s not a distraction, but a necessary appointment!

Laughter. There is no replacement for a great laugh. You can’t conjure it up. You can’t fake it and it can’t be forced. I’ve found myself saying before, “That is too funny!” only I’m not laughing. It was a statement. How funny can it be then?

The experts say laughter is beneficial to our overall health, a great stress management reliever, and even a body and heart workout. Sounds good to me. But not every day do I feel like laughing. Sometimes life is overwhelming and I’m just trying to get through the day. Ever felt like that?

Jerry B. Jenkins said in a writer’s conference one year that our life is 5% of what life throws our way and 95% of how we respond to it. That stuck with me.

In the midst of stress, I can choose to think of the positive side. In the midst of difficulty, I can choose to look for the lesson to be learned. In the midst of the mundane, there is still a funny side. It’s all about perspective.

Our daughter has this thing she does daily, “Here is my random word of the day.” She says. Then she blurts her random word.

It cracks me up. We never know what it will be, what she’ll say, because of course it’s … random. But it’s funny to see what floats into her mind in that instant.

We have a quirky dog that acts like a trained seal when it comes to balloons. When I need a good laugh, I blow up a balloon and play volley-balloon with the dog. Never have I seen a dog so careful to not pop a balloon and still keep it up in the air. It’s funny!

My second trip to the dentist due to facial swelling isn’t funny, but how I look in the mirror right now with a half swollen face … is.

Choose to find laughter and humor in today’s events. In addition to gaining a new perspective, you’ll get a bonus workout without leaving your chair. What a value!