The Company You Keep | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Relationships

The Company You Keep

When it's all said and done, who can you call at 3 A.M?

42
The Company You Keep
Icy Tales

I often ask myself what I am doing – mentally, emotionally, socially – to make myself the way that I am. Like most, the minute I face a problem within my life I tend to blame myself. What have I done that has led me to this moment? How did I get here?

I’ve always been told to carefully choose whom I associate myself with. After all, people are always watching. Though it may not always seem like it, people care and those same people think that they have the right to tell you who you should spend your time with. However, the perceptions of others never crossed my mind when choosing my friends: not as a child, not in high school, and certainly not in college. We are drawn to certain people, and that is something that we cannot help. I am a firm believer that everything happens for a reason, and everyone who has entered my life has served some sort of purpose in one way or another. I’ve had friends that my mother did not like, friends that my other friends did not like, and even friends that I did not really like. But, in one way or another, each one was there for a reason. Each one gave me memories or taught me a lesson.

 

In 20 years, a lot of people have come and gone. And now, as I prepare to enter my senior year of college, I cannot help but reflect on the people in my life; how they got there, what we’ve done for each other, and why some of them left. I smile thinking of inside jokes that once left me laughing for hours, I sadden at the thought of those who backed away from me in times of need and I hate myself for those whom I could not help in return.

Looking through the people I chose to surround myself with, I think about who I would call at three A.M. without hesitation. And, while I know that there are people I could call, I find myself wondering who would actually answer. Besides a handful of friends who i, at this point, consider family, were the people I was going out on a limb for willing to do the same for me? It was here, at this point, that I started to wonder if others were right. Had I surrounded myself with the wrong people? All that I am willing to do for others - are they willing to do the same for me? Finding that answer to be no is scary. It's disheartening. And, in turn, I assume it to be my fault. & I know I am not the only one who thinks like this.

If someone would not do for you what you would do for them, it is not because you have been a bad friend. It is not because you did not care enough or because you were in the wrong. We cannot force people to care about us. We cannot make anyone love us. Strangely enough, this is normal. This is ok. Some friendships are not meant to tailor to your every need. Some are there to make you laugh between classes, some to sing along with in the car, some to feed you drinks on a Saturday night and some to alter your entire life. You are each of these things to someone else, and you might not even realize it. Friends come in all forms. They're not all there to be your ride or dies. Sometimes, people are just there to be there.

Do the most for the ones you care about, but also make sure that you're doing the most for you. Give your all to those who would do the same and take care of the ones who need you anyways. We all need someone in one way or another, and the friends that we make throughout this lifetime serve a multitude of purposes. Think about those purposes when figuring out who to keep close, and who to gracefully move away from. Your friends will always matter to you but, ultimately, its you that matters the most.

And if no one takes care of you?

Always make sure to take care of yourself first.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Entertainment

Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

These powerful lyrics remind us how much good is inside each of us and that sometimes we are too blinded by our imperfections to see the other side of the coin, to see all of that good.

147155
Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

The song was sent to me late in the middle of the night. I was still awake enough to plug in my headphones and listen to it immediately. I always did this when my best friend sent me songs, never wasting a moment. She had sent a message with this one too, telling me it reminded her so much of both of us and what we have each been through in the past couple of months.

Keep Reading...Show less
Zodiac wheel with signs and symbols surrounding a central sun against a starry sky.

What's your sign? It's one of the first questions some of us are asked when approached by someone in a bar, at a party or even when having lunch with some of our friends. Astrology, for centuries, has been one of the largest phenomenons out there. There's a reason why many magazines and newspapers have a horoscope page, and there's also a reason why almost every bookstore or library has a section dedicated completely to astrology. Many of us could just be curious about why some of us act differently than others and whom we will get along with best, and others may just want to see if their sign does, in fact, match their personality.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

20 Song Lyrics To Put A Spring Into Your Instagram Captions

"On an island in the sun, We'll be playing and having fun"

36413
Person in front of neon musical instruments; glowing red and white lights.
Photo by Spencer Imbrock on Unsplash

Whenever I post a picture to Instagram, it takes me so long to come up with a caption. I want to be funny, clever, cute and direct all at the same time. It can be frustrating! So I just look for some online. I really like to find a song lyric that goes with my picture, I just feel like it gives the picture a certain vibe.

Here's a list of song lyrics that can go with any picture you want to post!

Keep Reading...Show less
Chalk drawing of scales weighing "good" and "bad" on a blackboard.
WP content

Being a good person does not depend on your religion or status in life, your race or skin color, political views or culture. It depends on how good you treat others.

We are all born to do something great. Whether that be to grow up and become a doctor and save the lives of thousands of people, run a marathon, win the Noble Peace Prize, or be the greatest mother or father for your own future children one day. Regardless, we are all born with a purpose. But in between birth and death lies a path that life paves for us; a path that we must fill with something that gives our lives meaning.

Keep Reading...Show less
Health and Wellness

10 Hygiene Tips For All College Athletes

College athletes, it's time we talk about sports hygiene.

32258
Woman doing pull-ups on bars with sun shining behind her.

I got a request to talk about college athletes hygiene so here it is.

College athletes, I get it, you are busy! From class, to morning workouts, to study table, to practice, and more. But that does not excuse the fact that your hygiene comes first! Here are some tips when it comes to taking care of your self.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments