Coffee Times Coffee House - Reaching In Reaching Out

by Patti Edmon
Edmon Designs, Inc.

Who springs to mind when you think about friendship? A neighbor you can count on for advice or a cup of milk; who shovels your sidewalk, collects your mail when you're on vacation? A co-worker? The person you sit next to in church, or who invites you to a movie or fishing?

Friendship can be classified, measured in so many ways. But the deep, connected relationships the kind that nurture our values and character - are scientifically proven to improve the quality of life and lower mortality rates.

What separates these friends from the rest of the people in our lives? First of all it's the willingness to be there, to reach for part of the burden of sorrow or grief along with celebrating the joy and success. Perhaps most important is unshakable trust, the freedom to be wide open without reservation or fear of judgment. Authentic friends are open to other belief systems and they understand the difference between fact and opinion. And friends don't quit when the air grows heavy with misunderstanding or tension. Instead, they work harder to breathe.

Connecting at the soul level is sharing the life force that keeps us trudging, skipping, lurching, running toward whatever our destination might be. And as our identity evolves and we walk closer to our authentic path true friends are not threatened, they can find us no matter where our travels take us.

There is much magic in this world: taking a risk and reaping the reward, the leaves turning in fall, and purple and white crocuses urging up through matted yellow grass in spring, evidence that life will once again be renewed. Part of the magic is the sheer amazement that these events continue amid the darkness: the sickness of bombs, terrorists, extinction and natural disaster; disease, a loved one's impending death, the ache of loneliness and - even though we're fully mature adults- the way our feelings are crushed by a thoughtless act or a cruel remark.

We live knowing life can change in an instant, that financial security, health and happiness are tenuous and ephemeral. So, what do we do when faced with the raw instability of our world? When the unthinkable happens or a crisis challenges our faith? We turn to those we love, and who love us back in spite of our flaws and failures; the reality is that relationships are our only tangible, lasting assets.

Who are your nearest and dearest friends, and have you invested in them all they are worth to you? Breathe each day the fragility and wildness and wonder of life and love. Celebrate yourself and your friends when you have no time, when your list of things to do is miles long. You might not have the chance tomorrow.


	by Patti Edmon Edmon Designs, Inc. Who springs to mind when you think about friendship? A neighbor you can count on for advice or a cup of milk; who shovels your sidewalk, collects your mail when you're on vacation? A co-worker? The person you sit next to in church, or who invites you to a movie or fishing? Friendship can be classified, measured in so many ways. But the deep, connected relationships the kind that nurture our values and character - are scientifically proven to improve the quality of life and lower mortality rates. What separates these friends from the rest of the people in our lives? First of all it's the willingness to be there, to reach for part of the burden of sorrow or grief along with celebrating the joy and success. Perhaps most important is unshakable trust, the freedom to be wide open without reservation or fear of judgment. Authentic friends are open to other belief systems and they understand the difference between fact and opinion. And friends don't quit when the air grows heavy with misunderstanding or tension. Instead, they work harder to breathe. Connecting at the soul level is sharing the life force that keeps us trudging, skipping, lurching, running toward whatever our destination might be. And as our identity evolves and we walk closer to our authentic path true friends are not threatened, they can find us no matter where our travels take us. There is much magic in this world: taking a risk and reaping the reward, the leaves turning in fall, and purple and white crocuses urging up through matted yellow grass in spring, evidence that life will once again be renewed. Part of the magic is the sheer amazement that these events continue amid the darkness: the sickness of bombs, terrorists, extinction and natural disaster; disease, a loved one's impending death, the ache of loneliness and - even though we're fully mature adults- the way our feelings are crushed by a thoughtless act or a cruel remark. We live knowing life can change in an instant, that financial security, health and happiness are tenuous and ephemeral. So, what do we do when faced with the raw instability of our world? When the unthinkable happens or a crisis challenges our faith? We turn to those we love, and who love us back in spite of our flaws and failures; the reality is that relationships are our only tangible, lasting assets. Who are your nearest and dearest friends, and have you invested in them all they are worth to you? Breathe each day the fragility and wildness and wonder of life and love. Celebrate yourself and your friends when you have no time, when your list of things to do is miles long. You might not have the chance tomorrow. Features : In the Words of... : Coffee Times Lover : Reaching In Reaching Out : What's the Buzz? : A Note to You ©2008 Coffee Times Coffee House, Inc. All Rights Reserved.