Three
I’ve discovered that senior year brings out a lot in a person. The list includes the ability to sleep harder than ever before, find an unhealthy amount of enjoyment in crafting, and become ever so highly reminiscent of the good ol’ days.
Now, before I definitively convince you that I am an 80-year-old trapped inside a 21-year-old, allow me to say that I have seen these traits in many of my senior friends past and present. While we are at this crossing point in our lives, we are reminded of what is most important to us as we come to the end of the undergraduate journey. At the top of the list resides the community we have gained in our time here. I have found that cultivating a well-rounded group of friends consists of three different types of friendships that not only enrich life, but also help to further develop you as a human being.
The first type of friendship to maintain is with someone who is older than you. There is immense value to be gained from being discipled by a more experienced friend. Gaining wisdom from others advances spiritual growth and fills you so that you can go out and serve more effectively.
The second sort of friend to keep is a person who is more intelligent than you. Life is a constant learning process. Surrounding yourself with people who know more than you is not only humbling, but constantly pushes you to keep growing in knowledge.
The final friendship to cultivate is with a person who is completely different from you – someone with a different culture, background, perhaps even worldview. It is so valuable to allow yourself to be challenged and shaped by others who have a completely different perspective to offer.
Community will outlast a graduation date, and being a part of a thriving and challenging community is one of the most valuable things a person can accomplish. With that, let’s now move forward, go out, and effectively serve.
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