Life’s Richest Blessing Is….
I’ve recently celebrated my birthday and experienced a time of feeling special and blessed. A benefit of living in a different country is all the new experiences, opportunities and people that continually come along your path.
I believe as humans, we’re not meant to be alone within this earthly experience. Human interaction provides too many emotional options, choices, learning and just plain FUN.
I had a few celebrations of my birthday (why not?) and at each get-together I felt truly grateful for these many varied people in my life (both near and far).
Yes – people come and go – some stay in your life longer and have different impacts.
But everyone leaves a footprint of sorts – usually with a memory or a life lesson.
As you know, “People come into your life for a reason, a season, or a lifetime”.
I’ve had too many ‘coincidences” in my life to discredit a divine order to my relationships and friendships formed along the way.
Taking a backseat when it comes to relationships/friendships doesn’t quite do them the justice they deserve for the value they provide to you.
We often think relationships or marriage as work, but I’d like to include “mere” friendship into this bucket as well – so find the season or reason.
• Receiving a card from a friend I no longer speak to regularly, due to distance lifts my spirits.
• Hearing an old friend is coming to visit us in Perth makes me excited.
• Receiving a package of “home” goodies (eg chlorets, jellytots and rusks) in the mail makes me lovingly homesick.
These are all emotions, reminding me of who I am and how real I am.
Being real helps me to connect easily with others, as they feel safe to be themselves as well.
People provide you with plenty of opportunity to get into touch with your authentic self – if you dare.
Yes – you are able to live from a space of honesty and truth within any relationship. Accept yourself, accept your role and the same for the other party.
What expectations are you holding onto within your friendships and/or relationships?
What ‘games’ are you playing in order to keep them alive?
Are you looking inwards often enough to make sure you’re keeping it all real and honest?
You already know that you cannot be all things to all people – but you can always be YOU to all people. Feel things from as many people as possible. Allow yourself that.
It’s precious. And enlightening.
Too many people hide out in ‘batcaves” – protected and insulated from the potentially hurtful world outside. This doesn’t help with developing the emotional resiliency that provides the inner strength.
Some suggestions for developing people resiliency:
• Knowing when to hold on and when to let go
• Taking what you need is as important as giving of yourself
• Expressing your needs and wants is one thing, but really hearing the other’s needs and wants is a skill.
• Expressing affection and love to both friends and partners brings you closer together quicker than you think
• Bearing both pain and pleasure; disappointment and surprise is all part and parcel of any relationship
Befriending many different people in my adjustment period in a new country helped me learn so many new and exciting things.
My previous limited perspectives and viewpoints were narrower than I’d care to admit. But being able to explore and understand so many different opinions and cultures opened my mind so that it can never return to its original shape and size.
Thank Heavens!
As my experiences and learning expand – so does my inner and outer world. And therein I find reward.
I can wish for few greater blessings in my life than who I am.
Submitted by Heidi Cornelissen, Completely Human
