Ten Dimes.

It all started when I saw the quote above in my Newsfeed on Facebook. And you know me. I love a good quote. Especially one that makes you stop and go, hmmm. Game changers. I've been mulling this quote over for the last week and have even had a couple conversations about it with people in my life here. On the parade route no less. Because when you're between parades and taking a breather from dancing in the streets with a drink in your hand, what better way to kill time than talk about the deep stuff. The stuff that matters. Remember, it is 2015...the year I #cutthebull.

So it got me thinking. About the people in my life, especially the people in my NOLA chapter. How would I classify them through this lens of currency? How would they classify me? While I've always been someone who enjoys being social and appreciates casting a wide social net, I've also focused on building solid relationships with a handful of people and using those relationships to fuel and sustain me. But only 4 quarters? Seems rather limiting. (And yes, I get that it's just a saying). But as I thought more about it, I realized that the point in my life where I am right now makes me want to not have just 4 quarters but rather 10 dimes. Ten dimes. Ten relationships that I can focus my energy on and invest in without feeling like I'm spreading myself too thin or becoming too dependent on one relationship. I've been wondering if it's possible to have a combination, you know 5 dimes and 2 quarters. And hey, maybe it is. Who makes the rules? Because just like life, relationships ebb and flow and a quarter one season may become a dime the next or heck, even a nickel. It happens. 

Someone who has always been part of my currency since he came into my life asked me yesterday if I would ever be more than just a dime for him. A quarter? Yes. A half-dollar? Yes. It made me stop and realize the impact this relationship has had on me and my willingness to always show up for that person. No matter what. It's made me think about my dimes here. Would they be willing to be quarters if I needed them to? Would I want them to? And then suddenly it puts everything into perspective and you realize when it's worth being upset or disappointed when relationships let you down, when it's worth fighting for the relationships that matter. And when it's ok to let relationships go or not invest as much. 

Maybe for you it's four quarters. Or ten dimes. Or twenty nickels. Regardless, it's good to take a moment to press pause, take stock, and reflect on how (and in whom) you are investing your time, energy, and concern. 

Cheers.