In life, we cross paths with many people, but only a few leave a lasting imprint. Some relationships help us grow, others challenge us, and a rare few change us forever. These three kinds of relationships shape who we become and teach us the most profound lessons about life and love. Understanding the purpose each one serves can help us appreciate these connections and nurture them in a way that transforms us for the better. Here are the three life-changing relationships we all need and how each one makes us who we are. 1. The Transformative Friendship: The One Who Sees Us at Our Core The transformative friend is someone who knows us deeply, often better than we know ourselves. This is the friend who’s been with us through thick and thin, who accepts us as we are but also pushes us to become our best selves. This friend sees past the masks we wear for the world and connects with the true essence of who we are. Transformative friendships often begin in formative years, like high school, college, or early adulthood, though they can emerge at any stage. These friendships shape us by showing us our strengths, helping us embrace our weaknesses, and standing by us through life’s biggest challenges. They are our safe haven, our voice of reason, and, sometimes, the only person we trust to tell us the truth. Signs You’ve Found Your Transformative Friend: They support your dreams but also challenge your excuses. You can be completely vulnerable with them, sharing things you might hide from others. They have seen you at your worst, yet they remain a constant source of encouragement. How This Friendship Changes You: Transformative friends make us braver and more resilient. By reflecting our true selves, they encourage us to become more authentic. They’re often the ones who help us through difficult transitions, like changing careers, ending toxic relationships, or pursuing passions that feel risky. This friendship reminds us of our worth, even when we doubt ourselves, and teaches us the value of unconditional support. 2. The Romantic Love That Changes Us: The One Who Teaches Us About Vulnerability Romantic love is powerful, and some relationships go beyond attraction or companionship—they become catalysts for deep change. This romantic partner challenges our boundaries, teaches us how to trust, and encourages us to open up in ways we may have never thought possible. The romantic love that changes us doesn’t always last a lifetime, but it leaves a lasting impact. This relationship is often marked by intense emotions, from joy and passion to vulnerability and fear. Through the highs and lows, this love teaches us what it truly means to let someone in, to share our insecurities, and to accept love in all its imperfections. It’s not always an easy relationship; in fact, it’s often the one that makes us face our deepest fears. But whether it ends or endures, this love gives us wisdom that lasts. Signs You’ve Found a Life-Changing Romantic Love: You feel seen and understood in ways you never have before. You’re pushed to confront your insecurities and embrace your vulnerability. This person makes you want to be a better version of yourself, not out of obligation but out of genuine inspiration. How This Love Changes You: This love teaches you courage and vulnerability. It shows you that real intimacy requires letting down walls and embracing imperfections, both in yourself and in your partner. You learn how to communicate honestly, how to forgive, and how to nurture a connection that goes beyond surface-level attraction. This love is transformative because it helps you grow emotionally and allows you to experience the depth of human connection. 3. The Mentor Who Guides Us: The One Who Lights Our Path The mentor relationship is a unique bond that often forms when we’re searching for direction. This person may come into our life unexpectedly, but their influence is profound. A mentor sees potential in us that we may not recognize and offers guidance, wisdom, and encouragement. They help us see beyond our current limitations and inspire us to reach for our dreams. Mentors can take many forms—a teacher, a coach, a manager, or even a friend with more life experience. This relationship is about learning and growth, pushing us to develop skills, build confidence, and pursue a vision for our lives. Mentors believe in us when we’re unsure and provide a roadmap when we feel lost. Signs You’ve Found a True Mentor: They offer advice that challenges you, rather than simply telling you what you want to hear. You feel a sense of trust and respect for their experience and wisdom. They encourage you to pursue your passions and provide valuable insights to help you succeed. How This Relationship Changes You: A mentor changes you by giving you the tools to become the person you aspire to be. They help you navigate challenges, offering support and wisdom without expecting anything in return. Through their influence, you gain confidence and learn how to overcome obstacles, both professionally and personally. This relationship teaches you resilience, self-discipline, and the importance of paying it forward. Appreciating and Nurturing These Life-Changing Relationships Each of these relationships serves a unique purpose and contributes to our personal growth. The transformative friend grounds us and accepts us as we are, while the romantic love teaches us vulnerability and trust. The mentor, meanwhile, inspires us to dream bigger and pushes us toward our potential. Understanding the value of these relationships helps us recognize their importance and nurture them with intention. Not every connection will last a lifetime, but each one leaves a lasting imprint on our hearts and minds. By appreciating these bonds, we allow them to shape us in ways that bring us closer to the person we’re meant to be. These three relationships—the transformative friend, the romantic love, and the guiding mentor—define us in ways we may not realize until we look back on our lives. They teach us resilience, courage, and self-discovery, leading us toward a life filled with deeper purpose and greater understanding. Embracing and nurturing these relationships isn’t just about connection; it’s about honoring the journey they guide us on, helping us become the best versions of ourselves.

President-elect Donald Trump announced on Tuesday night that he has tapped business magnate and former pharmaceutical executive Vivek Ramaswamy to lead his Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). “I am pleased to announce that the Great Elon Musk, working in conjunction with American Patriot Vivek Ramaswamy, will lead the Department of Government Efficiency,” Trump said in a statement. “Together, these two wonderful Americans will pave the way for my Administration to dismantle Government Bureaucracy, slash excess regulations, cut wasteful expenditures, and restructure Federal Agencies – Essential to the ‘Save America’ Movement.” Trump called the initiative, which Musk first floated during an interview with Trump earlier this year, the “Manhattan Project” of our time. Naming the department DOGE is a wink to a popular meme and cryptocurrency sometimes referenced by Musk. “This will send shockwaves through the system, and anyone involved in Government waste, which is a lot of people!” Musk said. “To drive this kind of drastic change, the Department of Government Efficiency will provide advice and guidance from outside of Government, and will partner with the White House and Office of Management & Budget to drive large scale structural reform, and create an entrepreneurial approach to Government never seen before,” the statement said. MATT WALSH’S ‘AM I RACIST?’ NOW STREAMING ON DAILYWIRE+ “I look forward to Elon and Vivek making changes to the Federal Bureaucracy with an eye on efficiency and, at the same time, making life better for all Americans,” Trump said. “Importantly, we will drive out the massive waste and fraud which exists throughout our annual $6.5 Trillion Dollars of Government Spending.” “They will work together to liberate our Economy, and make the U.S. Government accountable to ‘WE THE PEOPLE,'” he continued. “Their work will conclude no later than July 4, 2026 – A smaller Government, with more efficiency and less bureaucracy, will be the perfect gift to America on the 250th Anniversary of The Declaration of Independence. I am confident they will succeed!” pic.twitter.com/Vnk4MCAofY — Elon Musk (@elonmusk) November 13, 2024

Internet sensation Peanut the squirrel was reportedly marked for euthanasia along with his pal Fred the Raccoon more than a week before he was seized in a raid at his home by New York officials to be “tested for rabies.” Chemung County Executive Christopher Moss told the New York Post on Tuesday that the rabies test for both animals came back “negative” after they were seized from their guardian Mark Longo’s home in upstate New York on October 30 by officials with the the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and then euthanized. DEC officials initially said they had received numerous calls about the animals living in the house. The department then got a warrant to search the home for the animals in what Longo described as a drug dealer-type raid at his home, as previously reported. Peanut, the pet squirrel that was seized from its owner in upstate New York and euthanized about two weeks ago, has tested negative for rabies, a county official said Tuesday. https://t.co/5cpTkzmdw4 — CBS New York (@CBSNewYork) November 13, 2024 At the time, the Associated Press reported that the DEC took both animals from the Longos’ home. The agency reportedly said it received complaints that wildlife was potentially at risk and being kept illegally. The Longos told TMZ that they have had Peanut for seven years, after rescuing the squirrel when its mother was killed. The DEC also said in a statement that Peanut bit an investigator on the hand while the squirrel was being confiscated, sparking the need to test for rabies and “both animals were euthanized…” according to WETM. In order to test for rabies, decapitation is required so subjects’ heads can be opened and their brains sampled. MATT WALSH’S ‘AM I RACIST?’ NOW STREAMING ON DAILYWIRE+ However, the Post reported that as far back as a week earlier, a timeline for euthanasia doesn’t match up and the animals were advised to be euthanized by state officials before the raid. “DEC is aware of an individual in Chemung County who is known to illegally possess an adult gray squirrel and at least 4 young raccoons. They may also be in possession of other illegal wildlife species,” the DEC said in a message to the county on October 22. “We would like to know if the Health Department would recommend these animals be tested for rabies as a precaution for human safety.” The State Department of Health letter to the county on October 23 then read,  “Wildlife cannot be confined like domestic animals, and if there was an exposure, the animals would need to be tested for rabies,” WBNG reported. Days later, officials took steps for their raid — but the Post noted that the DEC was already coordinating the animals’ euthanasia with Elmira Animal Control. The guardian of Peanut and Fred told the outlet he was in “utter shock” after seeing the timeline. “I’d like to give you a proper statement, but for now I’ll just say ‘Wow,'” he added. On October 30, DEC raided Longo’s home and took the animals, which were both killed that day. “Animal decap requested on: 10/30/24,” read a rabies report for Peanut and Fred, also released by Chemung County, who said an investigation into the matter was ongoing.

Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) tried to trash U.S. Army veteran Pete Hegseth — President-elect Donald Trump’s choice for incoming Defense Secretary — but instead she got a quick lesson on who he really is. Warren took to X to voice her grievances with Hegseth — who, in addition to his military service, has spent a fair amount of time as a host on Fox News — and she suggested in her post that his tenure at the network was the only reason Trump could have for choosing him. “A Fox & Friends weekend co-host is not qualified to be the Secretary of Defense,” she posted. “I lead the Senate military personnel panel. All three of my brothers served in uniform. I respect every one of our servicemembers. Donald Trump’s pick will make us less safe and must be rejected.” A Fox & Friends weekend co-host is not qualified to be the Secretary of Defense. I lead the Senate military personnel panel. All three of my brothers served in uniform. I respect every one of our servicemembers. Donald Trump’s pick will make us less safe and must be rejected. https://t.co/6ADUJSm8x6 — Elizabeth Warren (@SenWarren) November 13, 2024 But as critics pointed out, Hegseth had also put on the uniform — and had served multiple combat tours — and had earned an Ivy League education to boot. “You left out some of his resume: 20 years of military service. 2 bronze stars. Degrees from Princeton and Harvard. Active with veterans organizations since leaving active duty. You can go ahead and sit this one out, Senator,” Evan Berryhill posted. You left out some of his resume: 20 years of military service. 2 bronze stars. Degrees from Princeton and Harvard. Active with veterans organizations since leaving active duty. You can go ahead and sit this one out, Senator. https://t.co/tcNm71tuaB — Evan Berryhill (@EvBerryhill) November 13, 2024 The Federalist’s Sean Davis had a similar thought: “Pete Hegseth is a 20-year military veteran, a decorated combat veteran, a recipient of the Bronze Star (2x), and graduated from both Harvard and Princeton. You falsely claimed to be an Indian to get a job you couldn’t get on the merits. Sit down, Pocahontas.” MATT WALSH’S ‘AM I RACIST?’ NOW STREAMING ON DAILYWIRE+ Pete Hegseth is a 20-year military veteran, a decorated combat veteran, a recipient of the Bronze Star (2x), and graduated from both Harvard and Princeton. You falsely claimed to be an Indian to get a job you couldn’t get on the merits. Sit down, Pocahontas. https://t.co/BjCiROQVGn — Sean Davis (@seanmdav) November 13, 2024 “You left out that Hegseth is twice a bronze star recipient, served 20 years in the military including Iraq and Afghanistan, is a veterans’ advocate, and is Ivy League educated,” another posted, going on to tie Warren’s comments to the sentiment that left so many Americans fed up with Democrats in last week’s general election. “Characterizing him as simply a Fox News host is a despicable lie of omission. This bulls*** is why your party was wiped out in the election. Are you all not capable of learning anything, or do you plan to just keep imploding?” You left out that Hegseth is twice a bronze star recipient, served 20 years in the military including Iraq and Afghanistan, is a veterans’ advocate, and is Ivy League educated. Characterizing him as simply a Fox News host is a despicable lie of omission. This bullshit is why… — IT Guy (@ITGuy1959) November 13, 2024 “By framing veteran and double bronze-star recipient Pete Hegseth as ‘weekend co-host,’ you prove you don’t respect everyone one of our servicemembers,” Margot Cleveland added. By framing veteran and double bronze-star recipient Pete Hegseth as "weekend co-host," you prove you don't respect everyone one of our servicemembers. — Margot Cleveland (@ProfMJCleveland) November 13, 2024 During his military career, Hegseth — who achieved the rank of Major — served tours in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Guantanamo Bay and was awarded two Bronze Stars. He also earned the Combat Infantryman’s Badge (CIB), which is only given to soldiers assigned either to an infantry unit or to a Special Forces unit who have taken enemy fire while engaged in ground combat. Hegseth is still a member of the Minnesota National Guard’s Inactive Ready Reserve (IRR).

Pete Hegseth, the Fox News host and Army National Guard veteran who President-elect Donald Trump picked on Tuesday to be his secretary of defense, wrote the literal book on how woke ideology has conquered the military. In “The War on Warriors: Behind the Betrayal of the Men who Keep us Free,” Hegseth’s fifth book, he wrote about personally witnessing the military go through changes. In fact, he says he was pushed out of the Army because of those changes. “I joined the Army in 2001 because I wanted to serve my country. Extremists attacked us on 9/11, and we went to war. I became an infantry officer in 2003. I guarded terrorists at Guantánamo Bay in 2004. I led men in combat in Iraq in 2005. I pulled bodies out of burning vehicles in Afghanistan in 2012. I held a riot shield outside the White House in 2020,” he wrote in the introduction. “And in 2021, I was deemed an ‘extremist’ by that very same Army,” he added, per Fox News. “Yes, you read that right. Twenty years … and the military I loved, I fought for, I revered … spit me out. While writing this book, I separated from an Army that didn’t want me anymore. The feeling was mutual — I didn’t want this Army anymore either.” “The War on Warriors” was released in early June and quickly rose to the top of the New York Times bestseller list with more than 60,000 copies moved in its first week, according to Mediate. Earlier this year, ahead of the book’s release, Hegseth spoke with Daily Wire Editor Emeritus Ben Shapiro about how the military underwent a “fundamental transformation” starting in the Obama administration, shifting away from being an “institution more focused than any other in our government, in our society, on meritocracy, on lethality, on readiness.” Hearkening back to the run-up to President Joe Biden’s inauguration in 2021, Hegseth recalled being ordered as part of the National Guard to defend the event — that is until a commander called and said he was no longer needed. Hegseth said that during the writing of his book, he “spoke to someone who was privy to the decision-making” and this person said the chain of command went through his social media and saw that he had the Jerusalem cross and dubbed it a “white extremist tattoo” and that he was a “threat and an extremist,” leading to the revocation of his orders. MATT WALSH’S ‘AM I RACIST?’ NOW STREAMING ON DAILYWIRE+ “So I signed up 20 years ago to fight extremists, put my life on the line, and now I’m deemed one because of what I believe — because of my Christian faith or because I work for Fox News or because I support Donald Trump? Any one of those is a wrong answer. Like, I’ve worn this uniform for the better part of 20 years for this country, and you’re calling me an extremist. If they’ll do that to me, they’ll do it to anybody. And they did,” he said. Hegseth said that “especially under Obama, the focus became, ‘No, no, no, no, what about these gender issues? What about these trans issues? What about these women in combat issues? What about climate change?’ And certainly under Biden, it’s been, ‘What about extremism?'” Young soldiers joining the armed forces are bombarded with “woke ideology” during training, he said, adding: “You mentioned the warriors are just as good as they’ve always been. I agree, kind of. The challenge is because it’s a top-down organization, you start pushing things like DEI, now your young lieutenants and your young privates going through basic or going through ROTC or going through West Point are getting that woke ideology as part of their training.” Hegseth also explained how the death of George Floyd in 2020 led Department of Defense leadership to address a supposed “systematic problem” of racism in the military: “The Left knows that by pushing DEI, now they’ve got black soldiers looking at white soldiers and white soldiers looking at black soldiers wondering who really deserved what or why they’re in a position, which is really toxic for an organization primed on unity.”

President-elect Donald Trump officially nominated South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem on Tuesday night to be his Secretary of Homeland Security. “Kristi has been very strong on Border Security,” Trump said. “She will work closely with ‘Border Czar’ Tom Homan to secure the Border, and will guarantee that our American Homeland is secure from our adversaries. I have known Kristi for years, and have worked with her on a wide variety of projects – She will be a great part of our mission to Make America Safe Again.” Noem was elected to U.S. Congress in 2010 as the state’s lone U.S. Representative after serving in South Dakota’s legislature for several years. The rancher and small business owner was elected as the state’s first female governor in 2018. She was re-elected in 2022. “I am honored and humbled that President Donald J. Trump has selected me to be the Secretary of Homeland Security,” she said. “I look forward to working with Border Czar Tom Homan to make America SAFE again.” “With Donald Trump, we will secure the Border, and restore safety to American communities so that families will again have the opportunity to pursue The American Dream,” she continued. MATT WALSH’S ‘AM I RACIST?’ NOW STREAMING ON DAILYWIRE+ Noem is married to her husband Bryon and has three children — Kassidy, Kennedy, and Booker. I am honored and humbled that President Donald J. Trump has selected me to be the Secretary of Homeland Security. I look forward to working with Border Czar Tom Homan to make America SAFE again. With Donald Trump, we will secure the border and restore safety to American… https://t.co/uMWCwy5ukb — Kristi Noem (@KristiNoem) November 13, 2024

President-elect Donald Trump’s border czar, Tom Homan, said during an interview on Tuesday that he has received “thousands” of messages from former border and immigration officials who want to return now that a pro-law enforcement administration is getting ready to come back into power. Homan made the remarks during an interview with David Webb on SiriusXM’s “The David Webb Show” when asked about what additional government resources he needs to carry out Trump’s proposed mass deportations. “A lot of guys retired early or left because they weren’t able to do the job they took an oath to do,” he said. “So we need more manpower. DOD has helped several administrations on the border. They could be a force multiplier.” He noted that using manpower from the Pentagon does not mean that he will be sending the military into U.S. cities and arresting people. “The DOD could be used to help relieve law enforcement officers from administrative duties so they can get on the street and do what they’re supposed to be doing,” he said. “For instance, DOD could help with transportation. They could help ground transportation, they could help with air flights out. They can help with infrastructure building. They could help with intelligence. Things that don’t require immigration authority. So if DOD can help me, great. Other agencies, we’d love their help.” MATT WALSH’S ‘AM I RACIST?’ NOW STREAMING ON DAILYWIRE+ He said that it was unfortunate that Democrat governors were already digging in to shield illegal aliens from having to face U.S. law enforcement. “I don’t understand what city or state would not want to assist in removing public safety threats from their community, removing national security threats from their community,” he said. “But I’ll tell you this, if they don’t want to help us, just get the hell outta the way. Because we’re going to do it. You’re not going to stop us. It’d be great if law enforcement would work with law enforcement.” He said that in just the last two days, he has received “thousands of texts and emails from retired border patrol agents, retired ICE agents, retired police officers, guys that just got outta the military that want to come help.” “And so we gotta see what we can do about bringing some more people on board,” he added. “And that’s all gonna depend on what kind of money we get when we get in there. But, you know, we’re gonna do the job. Despite the hate, we’re going do the job. Despite the resistance, we’re gonna do the job. Despite the roadblocks, we’re gonna do the job. You’re not gonna stop us. So either join us or get out of our way.” LISTEN: “Despite the hate, we’re going to do the job. Despite the resistance, we’re going to do the job. Despite the roadblocks, we’re going to do the job. You’re not going to stop us. So either join us or get out of our way.” –@RealTomHoman, President Elect @realDonaldTrump pick… pic.twitter.com/NcI9zFIBnL — SiriusXM Patriot (@SiriusXMPatriot) November 12, 2024

At 63, Amy Grant appears the picture of health, but two serious health scares in the past few years have changed the singer’s life. People reported that in 2020, she had open heart surgery and sustained a brain injury during a bike crash two years later. She said the two scares “changed the way I look at life.” “I always saw myself living well into my nineties. My great-grandmother lived to be 94. She was sharp in the mind,” Amy told People. “To realize something can happen that you never see coming, and it could be over…everything became more precious.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by Amy Grant (@amygrantofficial) Amy Grant Discovered Her Heart Problem After Visiting The Doctor With Her Husband, Vince Gill She explained that Vince experienced some shortness of breath, and the doctor caring for him suggested she receive testing, too. Amy Grant learned she had a rare heart defect known as PAPVR, partial anomalous pulmonary venous return. The condition required open heart surgery, which saved her life. After the surgery, she told People that she committed to being fit. “I was probably in the best shape I had been in in a long time, maybe 20 years.” Then, in 2022, she hit a pothole while biking and sustained a head injury despite wearing a helmet. “I would just say, ‘What if I’m never all the way back?’ Because my processing was so slow. I could be in the room with people, but I didn’t have a comeback,” Amy Grant told People. “This has made us all look at each other with a kind of appreciation,” Amy said “I think being together maybe was a little bit on autopilot, and it doesn’t feel that way now.” Amy Grant and Vince Gill will begin their 14-annual Christmas at the Ryman residency in Nashville on November 29. This story’s featured image is by Kathy Hutchins via Shutterstock. The post Amy Grant Opens Up About How “Precious” Life Is After Major Health Scare appeared first on InspireMore.

When life feels overwhelming and you can’t find the words to pray, God’s strength and peace are just a quiet surrender away.