In Sanskrit, the word Sangha means assembly/ company/ community. I like this word because it was important for me to shed old friends who were not like minded to make room for new ideas and new ways of thinking to come into my life. People are beautiful flawed souls who come into your life for a period of time as you work through things. The only way for anyone to grow emotionally and spiritually is to expand this energy circle. Being grateful for the past and current friends will prepare you for acknowledging the impermanence and embracing the change.
Exercise: Visualize a new encounter with someone in a positive light that makes you smile. As you go to bed knowing the following: ” I am meeting someone special today and I am grateful for this new encounter.” Feel the encounter take place, smile knowing the event took place prior to it happening.