Do you have a friend who lives some distance away? Both of you keep meaning to get together but, some how or other, the days turn into weeks and months, then years. After a while, you're lucky if you exchange greetings during the holidays. The intention to remain close is there, but no one seems to want, or has the time, to go that extra mile to make it happen. Friendships, whether new or old, require cultivation. They're like flower seeds that need tending to in order to grow and bloom. Without careful and thoughtful attention, they'll wither and die...just as flowers do when they are left without water and fertilizer.
This happened to me, yeterday. I suggested to an old friend that we get together for an afternoon and catch up. This frog lives in a swamp pretty far from here. My friend agreed and thought that meeting half way would be good. I thought so, too, until I realized that their version of half-way was really 3/4 and 1/4...in their favor. At first, I got angry and was about to email them to say I was busy when I was suddenly overcome with emotion. Perhaps I hadn't thought about the real reason my friend suggested a meeting that was closer to his swamp than mine. Was a time a factor? Maybe he was having trouble hopping a long way...
I didn't know the answers and I was being quick to judge. I decided right then and there that I would hop all the way over to his swamp for our visit. It wasn't about being the "bigger" frog; it was about wanting to see my friend. I was willing to go that extra "hop" to keep our friendship healthy and strong. And I know that anything worth having is worth a little work.
Do you have friends or family that you've put off visiting because of time or distance? If those people mean a great deal to you, you might want to stop procrastinating and just go and visit them. Life is short and friends enrich our lives. Friends are the true flowers that have a way of brightening up an otherwise grey day. Pick up the phone...or send an email. Let them know they're in your thought and that you MISS them! Make your plans, and then follow through. I can guantee you'll wonder why you waited so long.
This happened to me, yeterday. I suggested to an old friend that we get together for an afternoon and catch up. This frog lives in a swamp pretty far from here. My friend agreed and thought that meeting half way would be good. I thought so, too, until I realized that their version of half-way was really 3/4 and 1/4...in their favor. At first, I got angry and was about to email them to say I was busy when I was suddenly overcome with emotion. Perhaps I hadn't thought about the real reason my friend suggested a meeting that was closer to his swamp than mine. Was a time a factor? Maybe he was having trouble hopping a long way...
I didn't know the answers and I was being quick to judge. I decided right then and there that I would hop all the way over to his swamp for our visit. It wasn't about being the "bigger" frog; it was about wanting to see my friend. I was willing to go that extra "hop" to keep our friendship healthy and strong. And I know that anything worth having is worth a little work.
Do you have friends or family that you've put off visiting because of time or distance? If those people mean a great deal to you, you might want to stop procrastinating and just go and visit them. Life is short and friends enrich our lives. Friends are the true flowers that have a way of brightening up an otherwise grey day. Pick up the phone...or send an email. Let them know they're in your thought and that you MISS them! Make your plans, and then follow through. I can guantee you'll wonder why you waited so long.
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