The Sunshine Report Relationships of Gold Karen and Jay share thoughts on the unique and special value of ‘Old Friends'. It happens in an instant. When you reconnect with an old friend, all of a sudden, you’re transported back to an earlier time. Whether you last saw your old friend ten, twenty or even thirty years ago, you find yourself just picking up like it was only yesterday. It’s like time has stood still. These are precious relationships. And if you are fortunate to have even a handful of such relationships, then you truly understand the meaning of the saying that ‘old friends are like gold.’ The truth is, we’ll meet a lot of people over the course of a lifetime. With some we’ll have brief encounters, others perhaps a little longer, maybe some will become acquaintances, and even fewer of those we’d consider a friend. And then there are those friends with whom we share a deep bond of ‘friendship’ - through the good and the bad – and these are the relationships that are so deeply meaningful. These friendships tend to endure changing circumstances like new jobs, long-term absences, and changed or differing interests. At times it may seem odd that as we change or evolve, how is it that some of our oldest friends are the ones that make us more comfortable? Why do we tend to place more value on those who have been in our lives the longest? Our oldest friends are often a good barometer of ourselves. They’ve known us the longest and have seen us evolve from our younger, perhaps more aspirational selves from the past into the adults we are in the present. This can be especially important if we’re going through a difficult time, helping us feel grounded again, reminding us of our potential, while also offering some honest advice we might not hear from someone we haven’t known as long. Our oldest friends offer us a safe space to be ourselves, without judgement. In short, they remind us of who we are. I was reminded of this in a conversation I recently had with a friend going through some difficult family challenges. It’d been a few years since we’d last connected, but we picked up right where we left off, catching up, sharing stories, providing advice, and offering some perspective. After our chat, I walked away feeling more upbeat and genuinely grateful not only for the memories my friend and I have shared over the years, but for how those shared memories allowed us to share yet another important moment together. Not only that, but a few days later my friend called me to tell me just how important us reconnecting was and that it helped him change his entire perspective on the difficulties he was facing on the home front. “I was forgetting ‘who I know I am meant to be,’ and our conversation helped remind me of that” he told me. We often talk about the importance of the little things in the Sunshine Report. Whether it be a plate of pancakes or a conversation with an old friend, these little things not only make life worthwhile, but they give us both perspective and guidance. They help us make decisions big and small that can lead to positive outcomes in our lives when we choose to be grateful for them. So if it’s been a while since you’ve connected with an old friend but it’s been on your mind, give‘em a call or set up some time to get together, it could make all the difference for you both! Read The Report Football and Friendships   Read More Lang and Pearl – Friends in the House Read More Positive Profile of the Week: Barry Hunter This week we are delighted to highlight a wonderful friend and a highly accomplished professional in the field of law enforcement here in New Hampshire – Barry Hunter. We in Newport are especially grateful to Barry because he recently volunteered to help us out on an important matter. He volunteered to come out of retirement and fill a critical gap. He agreed to serve as Newport’s Interim Police Chief. We are hugely appreciative of his generous offer to serve. We are also truly blessed to have Barry as our new Chief – given his extraordinary knowledge and experience. A few weeks ago, I happened to be in town and ‘accidentally’ sat in on his swearing-in while I was at the Newport town office. It was a pleasure to be there and to revisit the new Chief’s career as a law enforcement officer. So much so, thought you might like to know a bit about what Barry has accomplished. Barry has served in law enforcement for more than 40 years. Starting as a trooper for the State Police, Hunter served in various locations around the State, especially in Sullivan County and the western part of the state. Rising to the rank of Executive Major, Barry served as the number two officer in the entire state. Importantly, Barry also developed a deep expertise in the war against drugs, working with the Attorney General’s office as a Drug Task Force officer. While Barry’s time as Chief is only temporary in Newport, we are deeply grateful to have the value of his guidance and experience. He will be an exemplary role model to our younger officers and will undoubtedly have a significant and positive impact on our police force. Thank you, thank you, thank you – Barry Hunter! Quotes of the Week “Remember that the most valuable antiques are dear old friends.” H. Jackson Brown, Jr.     Jay Lucas | www.JayLucas.us  Share This Email Share This Email Share This Email Jay Lucas | 7 Portwalk Pl, Portsmouth, NH 03801 Unsubscribe [email protected] Update Profile | Constant Contact Data Notice Sent by [email protected]