December 16 – Friendship
How has a friend changed you or your perspective on the world this year? Was this change gradual, or a sudden burst?
(Author: Martha Mihalick)
Hmmm. Well there were a few, I think. One friend taught me that even friendships may not be as valuable as principal. Of course this depends on the importance of the principal versus the friend but there are some things where "Principals before personalities" is just not negotiable. While no man is an island (which I suspect is getting less and less true), friends that require of you to alter those self-imposed morals for the sake of their approval and company are not worth it, no matter how much you enjoyed them. Sometimes the lesson that something is not okay, even when your friendship may be their only immediate consequence, is the most important thing. You may be the only person in a a persons life willing to tell that person the truth.Even if you are wrong (for them), it is healthy for people to take pause and consider their actions. If you are wrong, a real friend will accept an apology.
Other friends have taught me that intimacy does not equal proximity. As my friends migrate - technology keeps us close. Out of sight is out of mind and it takes an extra effort but worth it. Sometimes the text or message from a friend devoid of all the accoutrement can be more real, or at least thoughtful. While we move faster and faster in our world. this opportunity to stop and really think about a response you are about to make or have just read adds depth and intimacy to the process.
Of course there are those who sudden and not so suddenly leave us - gone forever in all but heart, memory and character (the way they change us by being in our lives), who absolutely teach us to love today for its all that matters, and over to soon.
Sam's advice: Love true and now. Everyone will be a memory some day including us.
How has a friend changed you or your perspective on the world this year? Was this change gradual, or a sudden burst?
(Author: Martha Mihalick)
Hmmm. Well there were a few, I think. One friend taught me that even friendships may not be as valuable as principal. Of course this depends on the importance of the principal versus the friend but there are some things where "Principals before personalities" is just not negotiable. While no man is an island (which I suspect is getting less and less true), friends that require of you to alter those self-imposed morals for the sake of their approval and company are not worth it, no matter how much you enjoyed them. Sometimes the lesson that something is not okay, even when your friendship may be their only immediate consequence, is the most important thing. You may be the only person in a a persons life willing to tell that person the truth.Even if you are wrong (for them), it is healthy for people to take pause and consider their actions. If you are wrong, a real friend will accept an apology.
Other friends have taught me that intimacy does not equal proximity. As my friends migrate - technology keeps us close. Out of sight is out of mind and it takes an extra effort but worth it. Sometimes the text or message from a friend devoid of all the accoutrement can be more real, or at least thoughtful. While we move faster and faster in our world. this opportunity to stop and really think about a response you are about to make or have just read adds depth and intimacy to the process.
Of course there are those who sudden and not so suddenly leave us - gone forever in all but heart, memory and character (the way they change us by being in our lives), who absolutely teach us to love today for its all that matters, and over to soon.
Sam's advice: Love true and now. Everyone will be a memory some day including us.
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