“But it is from our twisted relations with family, friends, and society at large that many of us have suffered the most.” “The primary fact that we fail to recognize is our total inability to form a true partnership with another human being.” On friendship & others (12 & 12, p. 53)
What have you done to restore the relationships you hold most dear, lately?
“Why Can’t We Be Friends” – Cute Animal video (4:48)
The Purpose of Friendship (6:13)
Practicing Self-Intimacy a Humanistic Guided Meditation (6:54)
Friendship IXX
by Khalil Gibran
And a youth said, “Speak to us of Friendship.”
Your friend is your needs answered.
He is your field which you sow with love and reap with thanksgiving.
And he is your board and your fireside.
For you come to him with your hunger, and you seek him for peace.
When your friend speaks his mind you fear not the “nay” in your own mind, nor do you withhold the “ay.”
And when he is silent your heart ceases not to listen to his heart;
For without words, in friendship, all thoughts, all desires, all expectations are born and shared, with joy that is unacclaimed.
When you part from your friend, you grieve not;
For that which you love most in him may be clearer in his absence, as the mountain to the climber is clearer from the plain.
And let there be no purpose in friendship save the deepening of the spirit.
For love that seeks aught but the disclosure of its own mystery is not love but a net cast forth: and only the unprofitable is caught.
And let your best be for your friend.
If he must know the ebb of your tide, let him know its flood also.
For what is your friend that you should seek him with hours to kill?
Seek him always with hours to live.
For it is his to fill your need, but not your emptiness.
And in the sweetness of friendship let there be laughter and sharing of pleasures.
For in the dew of little things the heart finds its morning and is refreshed.
5 minutes ago I got off the phone with someone I haven’t spoken with in 4 months, when we used to speak weekly. Just rekindled an old flame from 3 years ago. Trying to reach out to all my friends during the holidays.
I m just trying to keep my side of the street clean. Which is a full time job but becomes easier the do the little kindnesses that seem to matter.
Patience and timing. In some cases a cooling off period is necessary. To step back and maybe reflect learn from mistakes and let god handle the rest. Not to beat self up but perhaps ….