“He who wrestles with us strengthens our nerves and sharpens our skill. Our antagonist is our helper.” (Edmund Burke)

“Frenemy” is a portmanteau of “friend” and “enemy” that usually refers to a friend who is also a rival. Come to think of it, it might also be the best way to describe your boss, your significant other, or even your child. The people closest to us test us. That’s just what they do. They’re our frenemies.

People who test us can easily be viewed as enemies. But they can also be our best friends. Friends make us better adults by calling us to the highest parts of ourselves, to live with increasing levels of integrity.

If you can welcome each power struggle or act of defiance as an opportunity to grow, you will not only make better decisions, you’ll get stronger in the process. And your relationships will likely flourish as a result.