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Photo: www.invitinghome.com
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I have a dear friend that I think I have loved more moments than I can count through the mists of time. We don't often get the chance to spend large blocks of time together these days, as life is hectic and family, work and responsibilities cut into leisure time. This week, we were lucky to connect and spend a good portion of a whole day together and it was just sublime.
This girl is someone that I trust implicitly. She's a true heart friend in those indefinable ways that build a solid friendship. We've found over the years that we either tend to mirror experiences in our respective lives, or one of us is just completing a cycling of an experience that the other is just embarking upon. In this way, this reflection provides guidance and a sounding board for both of us, when we have sufficient time to spend together and really get caught up.
Our recent afternoon and evening was that proverbial breath of fresh air for me. We played, which is always good for the Soul. We saw a theatrical production that some friends both acted in and directed, then we had a late meal and stayed downtown to watch another theatrical production on Knoxville's Market Square. In between all of this, we shared what we had both been doing since we were last together. Much time had passed since then, so there was a great deal to cover, and cover it, we did.
She is in a truly good place in her life. Settled, with someone she loves, her work life is growing and prospering and she carries that special glow that one does when everything is falling into place in Divine Order. Knowing her as I do, I was so happy to see her this happy, calm and peaceful....both inside and out.
The even greater beauty of it all was that she became a mirror for me. This time, she is finishing this particular cycle....or rather, she is sojourning it....ahead of me. Listening to her words and description of the steps, the decisions, the emotional healing she processed to get herself to that higher, more level place of allowing....it gave me that mirror. That road map or template of sorts. Because I am not that far behind her on a similar path, everything she was sharing was resonating brightly for me. I could see the logical steps she had taken, hear the wisdom in her choices and actions, and absorb the clear outcome. She is happy.
This reflection she gave me instilled hope in a new way for me. Mind you, it is never difficult for me to focus on positives. I tend to be a fairly sunny natured individual, and prefer to focus on those good, happy, uplifting moments. That being said, I flounder like everyone else when it comes to personal dreams, hopes and wishes. We are all so adept at getting in our own way for these goals, and I am no different. I do have conscious intent, however, to be fully, mindfully engaged in my own growth. What a lovely thing when I am given a gift of recognizing that this growth need not be so onerous, challenging or difficult!
Spending time with someone that I truly love and enjoy was the first gift. Nothing polishes up the heart more than that type of interaction, basking in the sheer enjoyment of someone dear to you. The second gift was being shown that reflection....that example that, "Look, this is how I did it, and it worked out beautifully." Sometimes the strongest lessons don't have to be imparted through bloody struggle and painful experiences. They can be, but I don't think it's necessary 100% of the time. What can be better than to witness someone a few steps ahead of you on a similar path, charting and negotiating their journey with determination, conscious application of intent and relative ease so that you may mirror their actions and experience a similar manifestation of ease?
Mirrors reflect. That is their purpose. We can choose to see through a warped lens and intentionally misread that reflection, or we can choose to gaze with clear eyes at the image. That's my choice, gazing clearly, and engaging with purpose. And the best part of this conscious process is that a day spent with someone I love gave me a mirrored confirmation and affirmation for where my own life is heading. In her happiness, I see a reflection of possibilities, and I embrace them.
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If you enjoyed this post and would like to read more, you can find me at Healing Morning blog.
