"Everybody you meet ain't meant to be in your life. It's like a tree. Some people are like leaves on a tree. When the wind blows, they're over there... wind blow that way they over here... they're unstable. When the seasons change they wither and die, they're gone. That's alright, most people are like that, they're not there to do anything but take from the tree and they ain't giving anything back.

Then you got some people who are like branches on that tree. You have to be careful with those branches because they'll fool you. They'll make you think they're a good friend and they're real strong but the minute you step out there on them, they'll break and leave you high and dry.

But if you find 2 or 3 people in your life that's like the roots at the bottom of that tree, you are blessed because that's the kind of person that ain't going nowhere. They aren't worried about being seen. Nobody has to know that they know you, they don't have to know what they're doing for you but if those roots weren't there, that tree couldn't live. You understand? A tree could have a hundred million branches but it only takes a few roots down at the bottom to make sure that tree gets everything it needs. When you get you some roots, hold on to them and the rest of it... just let it go, let folks go."

"Madea Goes to Jail"

In my sobriety journey I have always had multiple "roots" in my life that I can count on. Find your roots and water them. Let the leaves blow away and prune the weak, brittle branches from your life.