Think about it... Did you close your eyes and walk through memory lane?
Today, I saw a quote that brought me back to authentic relationships --
"Stop being afraid of what could go wrong and focus on what could go right."
In relationships with individuals, how often do we focus on what could go wrong versus what is right in that present moment?
Prior to the start of 2014, I focused too much on making everything perfect from the places we would go, to the day or time we hung out, or focused on making sure that the conversations accomplished a goal. Yesterday, I began a conversation with a friend like any conversation - we started discussing life, work, and plans for the future. In the middle of the conversation, I realized I wanted to know about the person, not the typical questions of what's your favorite color, drink, or show but what do you enjoy. My friend spoke of his life in New York City and the excitement surrounding the New Year's Eve. We began to explore what he loves about the city and what he enjoys in life. In that moment, I realize that I need to re-evaluate my relationships and find the heart and soul of each of them. No relationship is perfect, whether platonic or romantic.
In relationships, some of them last days, weeks, or even years. Some of them are brief for various reasons.
Who do you classify as a best friend? What do they do for you? What do you do for them? Is it daily coffee conversations or simply a text saying have a great day.
Regardless of the outcome, the relationship amongst two people should be founded on a form of common interest and mutual acceptance. But where does it go beyond the start. Does it need to accomplish a goal? Or is it natural progression?
Unfortunately, I realized that many of my relationships formed through my professional career or social outlets only connected to a social scene. Today, I look to change that. I want to find people that find beauty in life, even in the hard times. I want to find people who accept and challenge me in life, whether my career or otherwise. If it lasts for days, weeks, months, or year, I will value it. If it only last for a brief period, then I will accept it for what it is. Each person you interact with serves a purpose whether to make you find something new or help you evaluate what you already have in life.
My prayer each day is that my relationships should have value; the reality they do. I do not need something to have defined parameters or focused outcomes to be worth the it's beauty in gold. I also do not want the value to be defined because of a "forced" interactions but one of natural proportions. Yes, it is a mutual responsibility to live and let live through each relationship so I urge you to find peace in the relationships you form. Not everyone will be your friend; some will just be "associates" as I learned in middle school. Regardless of how you form the relationship, you deserve love and respect.
You will probably ask if I will stumble and fall with this idea of natural relationships and the answer is yes I will. However, I challenge you all to make me dig deeper, love more passionately, and find the true beauty in conversations and interactions. I know it sounds a little cliche but in this life we only have one life to live but I, like my fellow readers, need to do it without worry or fears. I make mistakes. You make mistakes. We all make mistakes. It is not a mistake when it challenges us to be more and think more. Therefore, I move forward with no regrets and only hopes for what is to come.
To 2014, I look forward to living life and forming more authentic relationships. Today, I reflect and listen to the following song to prepare me for what is to come in 2014:
Until tomorrow, may your day be filled with peace, love, and joy.
Peace and Blessings,
Stephen
