You First.

Today’s Marketing Cookie is a reflection on the qualities that make the best friendships.

Think about the best friends you've had over the years. What made them stand out? Perhaps it was their unwavering support during challenging times, or the way they could always make you laugh when you felt like you couldn't even smile. Maybe it was their ability to listen deeply, without judgment, or their knack for giving advice that seemed to solve things in an instant. It might simply be their comforting assurance that you were never alone in your joys or struggles.

Now, imagine if your best friends listed the reasons they appreciate your friendship. Chances are, they would mention qualities similar to those you admire in them. But what if I asked the person you spend the most time with about their friendship with you? Yes, I’m talking about you. Are you your own best friend? Do you support, listen to, and help yourself? Are you forgiving, generous, and kind to yourself, just as you are with your best friends?

It's essential to treat yourself with the same kindness and understanding you extend to your friends when they face setbacks. Cheer for yourself with the same enthusiasm you show when your friends achieve something great. Think about how you spoke to yourself the last time you faced a challenge. Were your words as encouraging as those you would offer a friend? If not, it’s time to shift your approach and treat yourself with the care and respect you deserve.

By cultivating these habits, you can become a better friend, not just to others, but to yourself as well. So, let's make a promise today to embrace the qualities that make us wonderful friends to others and apply them inward. After all, the journey to finding true friendship starts with recognizing the friend you see in the mirror every morning. When you do, it will be just as today’s fortune says, “The only way to have a friend is to be one.”