The Journey Inward

For the month of June, I am flipping through Clarity and Connection, by Yung Pueblo daily and randomly stopping at a page and reading. I am using the entry to delve into my thoughts and feelings, find what resonates, and see what answers it might hold for me. It is an exercise in building my Intuition, synthesizing information, making space for creativity, and journeying inward so that I might know myself and others better. Today’s reading was on page 171.

"real friends know you have a range of expressions, moods, and multiple aspects to your character.  they embrace you as your are and do not want you to perform.  they know authenticity is not being the same person over and over again; it is allowing yourself to change as you navigate life."

I have friends who have been by my side for all of my 54 years.  I have friends who I've known a much shorter time.  But what they all have in common, the good ones, the real ones, the ones I count on, is that they let me be who I am and they show up as they are.  It's scary to unmask yourself and be vulnerable.  It's a risk that you won't be judged, rejected or abandoned.  It's a leap of faith that others will hold your heart gently and cherish your presence in their life as you cherish theirs.  Friendship is a beautiful blessing, a complete comfort, and a reliable relationship.

To qualify as Friend, a person should not conjure scripts from your childhood days, putting you in a position to replay your earliest pain and dysfunctional environment.  They should not force their beliefs upon you, judging you for having a different opinion.  Friends hover in the best way, there if you need them, letting you fly if you don't.  They encourage your goals and support your changes of mind.  They question you and challenge you in the pursuit of helping you gain clarity and recognize patterns.  They inspire and delight you.  Real friends give you space to grow and like your reincarnations!