Friday loving: The Maasai, Friendship and Graceful Goodbyes

Beloveds, a few experiences and a blog post that i have loved in the past few weeks.

image by r.kimani

Experiencing other culture: I recently attended an event in Kajiado, which is mostly Maasai land, and enjoyed various aspects of it: Watching the interaction between the older and younger people was comforting – it left me with a sense that the younger generation is cared for and nurtured purposely. The dancing and the songs were fun and listening to the Maasai language and the pride that I sensed in most of the speakers was great. And of course, the beautiful beaded jewellery that is so completely synonymous with the Maasai was gorgeous to behold. One day, I might learn to adorn myself like that! And then, also, the wonderful company I had for the journey!

Good company; deep friendship: I recently reconnected with a long time friend and we’ve spent some time together since then and it’s really wonderful. Good company is great; Deep friendship is enriching, expanding, heart-growing!  Do nurture and treasure your friendships deeply – we are truly made for relationship.

This beautiful goodbye: Goodbyes are often associated with pain; with separation; with not so nice stuff, but this post from 1000 Awesome things, reminded me that there is a way to do goodbyes well and soulfully and completely. I want to learn to say goodbye, be it to people or things or experiences or even to life itself, with this grace, ease and gratitude. the post is titled: Looking Back, Smiling and Saying Thanks.

With that said, good bye! Have a loving, inspired weekend.

Love, love, m

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Growth and A Note on Friendship

The other day, i ran into someone that i haven’t seen for a very long time. Meeting her again reminded me of who i used to be and just how far i have come. Back in the day when i used to interact with her, i was in such a chaotic part of my life – of course, being in the depth of it, i didn’t realise just how dark that time was. It is only now as i look back and the clouds have lifted that i notice how thick things were back then.

And so i am simply grateful – for growth and learning and Wisdom. For real friends who have been with me through those tough times and on to now; for family and for wise counsel and companionship that slowly shone a light into my life and lifted the fog. And for the re-connection with God and His undying and endless love that actually never left, although at times i had thought it did. Note: Love is always with us.

Notes on Friendship: Lessons Learnt from that long-ago time:

Some of the things i learnt from that time was actually about friendship – the real thing versus the other one. It is probably not a real friendship if:

1. You are the only one who ever makes an effort to call; check in; contact; connect. If it is heavily one- way and you are the only one who seems to ever reach out, its not friendship. Real friendships have both people putting in the effort.
2. You are the only one who ever shares your issues and situations; the other person just never seems to let you in on what’s going on in their life but seems happy to listen and advice you. In real friendship, sharing of lives happens. (Point to note: please notice when you are turning your friends into therapists. That can be very draining on friendship.)
3. As a result of 2 above, you really do not know much or anything about their life beyond your friendship. Means that sharing is not happening.

As the weekend comes, wishing you real friendship and the knowledge that no matter how difficult things may seem at any point in your life, things do really get better; lives do really get transformed. Take it from me.

Happy weekend!

Love, love, m

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