I am very fortunate and blessed to have a group of friends who help me to stay at my optimal best --- emotionally, mentally, physically, financially, and spiritually --- by questioning my integrity, honesty and vision.  There are moments when I experience excitement over some new idea or direction in my life.  In that excitement, I become eager to run headlong into new experiences, new decisions, new choices.  Something inside of me revels in the possibilities that open up from the inside out.  However, in that eagerness and excitement, it is tempting to overlook the details of situations and circumstances that sometimes may be out of alignment with my purpose, my passion, and my principles.  I may not see those details because my thoughts are so filled with the exciting possibilities in front of me.  I may not see that in my enthusiasm to attain, claim, or achieve the new goal, I may have to compromise a very important part of myself.  It is at these times that I hear the voices around me, my friends, ask the questions that require me to check my own integrity, honesty and vision.  In doing so, my path, my direction may change slightly to ensure alignment with who I desire to be at my optimal best.  I know that some people think that a great friend is one who agrees with you, takes your side, or supports your endeavors no matter what they may be.  I have learned the great value of friends who do not agree with me, who do not "take my side," and who seriously question some of my endeavors.  I have learned that they do this from  a place of love for me and from a desire to see me at my best.  They offer alternative and complementary scenarios, situations and circumstances, that, ultimately, may be more in alignment with who I say I wish to be in the world.  For me, I have learned the great value of friends who question me.  In doing so, my path stays clearer, less cluttered, and more true to who I am choosing to be.