It’s often just enough to be with someone. I don’t need to touch them. Not even talk. A feeling passes between you both. You’re not alone. Marilyn Monroe

There are days when we all feel very alone. Days when we can stand in the middle of a crowd of people and feel very small, very insignificant, very alone. The cool thing is, that even when we feel most alone, a text, a tweet, a smile from a friend can remind us that we have wonderful girlfriends in our lives. We are loved, we are treasured, and we are most assuredly not alone.

Girlfriend Guru RACHEL AWES knows what is like to feel alone and then realize there are fabulous friends standing beside us. She reminds us how important it is to pay attention to being not-alone. Thanks Girlfriend!

I have been making a book the last few years. I have been filling it with drawings and words to inspire encouragement and healing and happiness in the reader. It is a work of my whole heart and I can’t wait to share it with everyone.

I have also been discouraged this summer. A few publishers have considered and affirmed it and turned it down. I am realizing I may have to do this on my own and self-publish.

It was at this juncture that I realized the last thing I am doing is doing this on my own. My literary agent has given incredible guidance. I have been cheered on by friends and family and a whole community of shining faces from Facebook and my blog. Authors/artists SARK and Kelly Rae Roberts have endorsed my book. My dear friend Jen of http://paintedfishstudio.com sat beside me this week for hours in front of my computer to help me generously tweek the last technical details. Even a wolf sat beside me in my dreams.

This isn’t just about being published verses self-publishing. My vision had gotten too small. I needed to open my eyes and see the amazing girlfriends who are all around. I needed to see I am not alone in this. And I am overcome with a heart of gratitude, which includes you, the reader of Girlfriendology right now. Thank you for being here. I am deeply glad to be with you.

RACHEL AWES is a psychologist, art playgroundist, writer, wife, mother, and friend, who loves listening to the beauty in people. You can see more of her art or her artistic thoughts on Pinterest. You can also read more of her work on her blog.

How are your girlfriends there for you when you need them? We’d love to hear about your experience.

By the way, we LOVE guest blogs here at Girlfriendology. Have a great girlfriend story to tell? Want to celebrate your fabulous female friends? SHARE! (And, we also have Girlfriend Gurus – check that out to be featured on Girlfriendology!) SIGN UP for our weekly newsletter and get our FREE eBook ‘30 Days / 30 Ways to Be a Better Friend‘ - check it out!

More to check out – Facebook.com/Girlfriendology  and Twitter/@Girlfriendology where we’re connecting with over 50,000 women (we block guys!) and Pinterest.com/Girlfriendology where we share visual inspiration and great quotes. More Girlfriend Friendship Quotes. & Did you see our INFOGRAPHIC on ‘What Women Want‘?

THANKS to our BIG 2012 Sponsor – Biz Stain Fighter and Mean Green Degreaser (check out their coupons!). And – THANKS to YOU Girlfriend!