Choose your friends wisely, these words are well known.

Make sure their accomplishments are akin to your own.

For those who can’t reach the heights you can climb

Will cut you down bluntly, if you step out of the line. 

Some slither up smiling, but drink opens the gate

You’ll watch as your kindness, is returned with pure hate

Ignore all the words, they concoct as a stew

If it doesn’t make sense, people know it’s not true.

Real friends fill you with hope, they want your success

But green eyes of envy, spurs the fakes to digress

I know your compassion wants to help them despite,

the anger they carry, with their need to be right.

But remember your time is a limited thing

And be cautious of those, you let into your ring.

Friends won’t pull you down, but they lift you up high

Focus on those, who want you to fly.

Be careful of people who critique everyone

Their ego is frail, they won’t be outdone

They’ll wait for the moment you make a mistake,

A misunderstanding, they’ll over-inflate.

You want to be kind to everyone in your life

but cut out the people who focus on strife.

The success of your friends builds their confidence, strength and compassion

That mirror your own – and creates the attraction.

Lean into the friends, who match your desire,

To give back to the world – not set it on fire.

A true friend is one, who wants your success

The encouragement they give, inspires your best.