third year baily reese

You need more than fair-weathered friends in your life. Stop. Breathe. Reflect on the people around you. Would they weather a storm with you, or do they only see you in the times of calm skies and sunshine? The friends in your life can act like different kinds of weather, some around in more seasons than others but adding value to your life nevertheless.

For the friend that’s a Thunderstorm: they’re chaotic, loud, and unrelenting. Moods change often.But they’re the most loyal of them all. Sometimes there’s mystery attached to the friendship, but you find them beautiful in all their chaos. Quirky little loves, they wear their emotions on their sleeve. You feel a thunder rumble in your chest when you're around them, and you should hold on to them as tight as you can. Think of them as a bundle of buzzing anticipation.

You might have friends who are Warm Rain: They will always listen intently to every word you say. They tend to romanticize melancholy, but fervently support your dreams. Similarly, they make sure you send them a text when you get home (and will send you a text if you don’t just to check). Their porch light is always on. They’re never overbearing.Think of them like a Sunday morning with a warm cup of chai.

Sometimes you’re gifted with friends like Hail: Being around them is a quick punch. A physical embodiment of the art piece titled “hit my summer hard and fast” by Jim Dine. They probably came out of nowhere in a fast fury. You didn’t expect them to be as important to you as they are, and you might have underestimated their impact. They can go as fast as they came into your life. They could feel like a lesson or a blessing, but either way it goes, you evolve. Think of them like when you forget to bring an umbrella and it starts pouring, but you're grateful that the rain hitting your skin makes you feel alive.

When you have friends like Sunshine: They burn bright and make you believe in yourself.They never fail to make you laugh or smile, the kind where you don’t care about your eyes crinkling or when your nose snorts a little bit. Their presence is an overwhelming warmth, and around them is safety. Never mistake their kindness for weakness, they’re arguably the most brave of the bunch. Think of them like the feeling when the windows are down and you have a sweet burn sting your cheeks, or even when the light creeps into all the tiniest of places in the morning time.

People have varied versions of themselves, with facets like gems. Look around at your people, the ones in the foreground or back. What do they bring into your life? Take this as a sign to reach out to them, whatever temperature and element you need, because they probably need a change in weather too.

Crafting a Friendly Forecast