Friends in Interventions

So, I have been thinking about how my life is blessed. Every once in a while I get to witness how absolutely magnificent friends can be especially when they courageously show up for their best friend whose in need of help.

And I smile and sing to myself with warmth and joy.

When you’re down and troubled
and you need some loving care
and nothing, ooh, nothing is going right.. oh yeah..
Close your eyes and think of me
and soon I will be there
to brighten up even your darkest nights.
You just call out my name,
and you know wherever I am
I’ll come running, oh yes I will
to see you again.
Winter, spring, summer or fall,
all you have to do is call
and I’ll be there, yes I will
You’ve got a friend.. Oh yeah..
Oh, If the sky above you
should turn dark and full of clouds
and that old north wind should begin to blow
Keep your head together and call my name out loud
and soon I will be knocking upon your door.. yeah
You just call out my name
and you know where ever I am
I’ll come running (running.. running) to see you again.. (to see you again)
Winter, spring, summer or fall
all you got to do is call
and I’ll be there, yes I will.
Hey, ain’t it good to know that you’ve got a friend?
People can be so cold.
They’ll hurt you and desert you.
Well they’ll take your soul if you let them.
Oh yeah, but don’t you let them.
You just call out my name
and you know wherever I am
I’ll come running to see you again.
Oh baby, don’t you know that,
Winter spring summer or fall,
Hey, now all you’ve got to do is call.
And I’ll be there, yes I will.
You’ve got a friend.
You’ve got a friend.
Ain’t it good to know you’ve got a friend.
Ain’t it good to know you’ve got a friend.
Oh, You’ve got a frien
d.”

No one ever sets out to experience a traumatic life event or a substance abuse, mental health, or process disorder; yet as we all know — sh%@ happens

What I have learned and keep learning is friendships and intervention have an incredible power to transform lives. When individuals have a strong support system through friendship, they are more likely to engage in healthy behavior, reach their goals, and enjoy their lives. An intervention, as we know, is a critical strategic process of helping a friend who is experiencing difficult situations. It is essential to understand the role of friendship and intervention when it comes to harnessing their power.

Friendship is a precious bond between two or more individuals that has the power to make them feel comfortable, supported, and valued. It provides people with a sense of belonging, and they learn crucial life skills, such as trust, communication, honesty, and loyalty. Friendship can

  • Boost your happiness and reduce your stress
  • Improve your self-confidence and self-worth.
  • Help you cope with traumas, such as divorce, serious illness, job loss or the death of a loved one.
  • Encourage you to change or avoid unhealthy lifestyle habits, such as excessive drinking or lack of exercise.
  • And as Cary Simon so eloquently suggests Friends come running and show up for one another in times of need.

Think about your special friends. They are typically there to share laughter, discuss the ups and downs of life, and provide emotional support. This connection provides a powerful buffer against negative life experiences, making it easier for one to cope with obstacles and move forward in life. When individuals build strong friendship bonds, their psychological and physical wellbeing becomes more robust.

Though every bond evolves in its own way, according to Julie Beck in the Atlantic Magazine there are six forces that help form friendships and maintain them through the years: accumulation, attention, intention, ritual, imagination, and grace.

Interventions, on the other hand, are the strategic act of taking steps to help an individual who needs support. This process is a crucial part of friendship, as it can help prevent negative situations from spiraling out of control. Intervening may involve providing guidance, resources, or support to someone who may be going through a difficult time. It could also mean acting in cases where a friend is making decisions which may negatively impact their life. Interventions can be tough to execute, as it requires friends to fly in formation to share their hearts, to not minimize what they have seen and experienced and to set healthy boundaries  yet the outcome is tremendous, and it highlights the value of solid friendship and the reality that they are committed to supporting their friend in only health and wellness.

The combination of friendship and intervention has multiple benefits. With good friends, individuals learn that they have people to depend on during stressful situations. They experience a sense of safety, and this motivates them to live healthier, more productive lives. With professional guidance these friends invite their friends to change , with guidance or support in different ways, including heart-to-heart talks, encouragement, or even standing up for the person. With such intervention, individuals are empowered to make better decisions, redirect their energies in new directions, get appropriateand better protect their own wellbeing.

In conclusion, friendships and interventions have a powerful ability to help individuals overcome obstacles and grow stronger in themselves. By having good friends who will be there for them, offering support when needed, individuals can better face uncertain and challenging situations. Through intervention, one can strategically friend or help them reinvent themselves from a difficult situation. A solid friendship allows individuals to have a companion to whom one could reach out to when in need. It creates a sense of community and provides the necessary support needed to endure whatever life brings.