All things have an end, and we will all experience many relationship endings during our lives. Sometimes these are straightforward: the relationship feels complete and we are able to move on quickly and to come to terms with the ending easily.

At other times the endings can be messy, painful, drawn out, or bewildering. In these instances it is a great help to be able to understand what has happened and to create an ending that feels more complete. This will also help to create better relationships for the future, where thought energies collide with opportunities and become new relationships.

When close friendships come to an end, it is because the lessons that you both needed to learn have been learned and it is time for both of you to move on. You both are needed elsewhere. If it is meant to be, you will meet each other again in some different guise. The wisdom and love from your friendship can be shared with others who need to learn the lessons that you have learned.  Friendships, like thoughts, do not really die; they merely change their form.

So when a friend has moved on, even if the way it has happened is painful, do not hold them back. Let them go with your blessings and accept that your friendship has helped another fellow human being to find the next step in their life's journey.

Excerpt from The Tibetan Art of Positive Thinking: Skillful Thought for Successful Living by Christopher Hansard