Monday, January 22, 2007

The Beauty of Friendship

Acquaintance, friend, lover, partner, soulmate. The pattern of human contact that is so vitally important to our being. Emotionally, we not only need to feel connected .. we desire it. But what is a connection? How does it happen?

We know certain like signs have a better chance at finding a connection. For instance .. predominate air fares best with other air or predominate fire. Predominate earth, with other earth or predominate water. But it isn't a given. Connections, in my opinion, take place because it is meant to be. We all have something to teach, and we all have something to learn.

*Acquaintances* are casual friendships. Perhaps a co-worker, a grocery clerk, or bank teller you see often, a neighbor. We are given numerous opportunities to make acquaintances. For instance, standing in line in the grocery store. Do you keep to yourself? Or take advantage of the time you have and greet someone standing next to you?

A *friendship* stems from a successful acquaintance. It is the next step. The connection. Once a friendship is made, the dynamics change. We are excited to open up and share experiences of our lives, and it is then that we have the opportunity to ~learn~ from our new friend's experiences. It is fun to share. But it is imperative to listen. If we are receptive enough, we come across many opportunities for friendships. Look at each person you consider a "friend" and imagine what you have met him/her for. What have they taught you? What can they teach you, if you allow them? The saying "I am only human" .. fits well here. We are all human, on the same level .. going through the same perils, yet why do we still feel the need to compete? Isn't it much easier to help one another? Isn't it more fulfilling?

When a friendship turns into a *lover*, it is very exciting! The gratitude for the lessons learned and taught are unsurpassable. Sometimes we jump right into being lovers before a connection is formed. Friendship supreme, indeed .. however, it may not necessarily be one of substance. By substance, I mean .. one that will go further than a physical connection.

Ahhh when we choose a *partner* from a lover. The life altering, mind boggling, heart thumping, goose pimpling decision! We have decided this person can teach us sooo much that we cannot live without him/her. What a wonderful feeling that they feel the same way! It is so important to ponder the reasons we have met our partner. What is he/she teaching us? Are ~we~ coming from a good place, in dealing with our partner? Are we receiving?

*Soulmates*! One is very lucky to come across a soulmate. They are souls we have been with before, and lessons learned are the most intense and dramatic. You have been reunited with a person who knows what you need, who is aware of your weaknesses .. who can teach you all you need .. if you are receptive enough. If and only if.

Let us not find ourselves insecure. Each and every time we come across a challenge, something that pushes us into that *jump into defense mode* wagon .. take a moment to think that maybe, just maybe .. you are being given a gift. If you learn this lesson, you may not have to go through it again. So priceless.

Acquaintance, friend, lover, partner, soulmate.

Will you take advantage of talking to the person standing next to you in line?

At least smile.

In the very least, you just may make someone's day!

Article by: Lorra Robertson

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