"bIg tHaNgS"
My favorite hip-hop emcee, Nasir Jones once wrote lyrics emphasizing to his adolescent friends that he could no longer participate in heinous juvenile acts because mentally he had evolved into a more responsible individual. I too have found myself standing at a crossroad as it applied to the relationships I'd held with certain long-term friends. Relationships are typically forged as a result of commonalities shared between individuals. Just as those likenesses draw you near, differences can eventually force you apart. That doesn't mean that either person is a bad individual per se... sometimes friendships run their course and people simply have to tread their own unique paths.
Chances are if you maintain the same core group of friends long enough, you'll either outgrow some of them or they will eventually outgrow you. We have to recognize that growth is inevitable. Mental elevation is influenced by life's experiences. As a result our growth spurts will almost assuredly occur at different periods than our friends. Keep in mind that change is not a bad thing; it is extremely necessary for some of us.
You should identify which lane you fit into and align yourself with others who possess a similar outlook. It’s often futile to try to change someone else' mindset. Trying to impose your will on friends usually contributes to frustration and disappointment. If you find that you are constantly annoyed by the actions, conversations, or mindset of the folk you surround yourself with, that is a tell-tale sign that a social divide has occurred. It's in your best interest to blaze a new trail. Parting ways with long-term friends is always a daunting task. Oftentimes it is a necessary step in freeing yourself to expand your horizons. Face it... perhaps it's time that you left mundane thinkers behind to set your sights on bigger thangs. Don't you agree?
Corey R.
