Friendship is the Jewel in Life

I have had many friends over the years. They came and went. Some with many tears and some with just a few. Sometimes things just evolve over time or friends move away and out of your life.

But then there are the few that stay. The ones who you think about telling about something that happened during the day or the week. The one or two you call , text or email while you are doing the have to do's of life. They are the ones, who over time become the treasures of your life.

They have seen you during the good times and the bad times. And they still want to be your friend after the bad times. <3
Of course, you have seen their bad times, too, but you don't see it that way. You see it as an opportunity you had to be there for them when they needed someone to be there. An opportunity to give to them with no judgement.  What a treasure to find a friend like that!

"Friends hold a mirror up to each other; through that mirror they can see each other in ways that would not otherwise be accessible to them, and it is this mirroring that helps them improve themselves as persons." Aristotle

What a fantastic treasure. I count myself to be so lucky. I have been blessed in life.

Namaste - A Beautiful Sentiment

Namaste

I have wondered what this means since I have seen this on bumper stickers, on a commercial on TV, online and lots of other places. It sounds so lovely and I think the word even looks lovely. So I wondered what it meant.  I love the definition below. To bow to another's true self. The one deep inside that maybe no one sees...that perhaps we are afraid to show for fear of rejection or because we feel a sense of vulnerability. There is a vulnerability when showing one's true self but it may depend on what you are wishing to accomplish. Most people want acceptance and friendship. I suppose we must look inside and ask ourselves what we would be afraid others would see. Perhaps we ask ourselves why we would want to be accepted by a person who would be harsh or cruel if they did see our true self. These are all things I  keep stewing inside of myself. With me it is like a pot bubbling on the back burner working these things to fruition...to be comfortable with anyone seeing my true self.   It is not a thing accomplished just by thinking it.  But perhaps it is wise to keep a little of our deepest self a bit hidden. After all as Cat Stevens said - it is a wild world.  I am still stewing.

What does Namaste mean?

At the end of each yoga class most teachers bring their hands together in front of the heart, bow their head and say "Namaste" and the students bring their hands together and respond in kind. Have you ever wondered exactly what Namaste means? A good definition of Namaste would be "I bow to your true self". The true self might be seen as the deeper, more essential you, less connected to ego, social expectations and pretensions. So the exchange of Namaste at the end of class is a wonderful way to honor the true self in each of us, and recognize that all life is interrelated. For a more in depth explanation take a look at this piece in Wikipedia or a shorter piece in Yoga Journal.