I'm one to believe that people come into your life for a reason. Whether they are friends whom you remain in contact with for the rest of your life, or whether they are friends who turn into enemies, each person has come into your life to help you grow as a person. They exemplify qualities that you hope to emulate or ones that you despise. But ultimately, each person teaches you something about yourself.
Every year, I think I mature. My perspective on life changes. My definition of friendship changes. My outlook on love changes. And these changes are a result of others. They are a result of what I see in people or what people have taught me. Every time I meet new people something about the way I live my life or the way I think changes.
It's quite funny. I pride myself on integrity, on my ability to make my own decisions and to make them wisely. Yet I seem to be dependent on others to shape my thoughts and my outlook on life. I guess you learn more about yourself by learning more about others. But others, I'm sure, grow based on who they come into contact with. For example, my friends define for me the meaning of friendship based on their actions towards me. I'm almost sure that the same is true for them. They base their meaning of friendship on my actions and how I treat them. So, am I just a product of myself? Some food for thought...