Do not cut social ties, yet do not clutter life with meaningless social obligations. These are the two extremes one can hover in between.
Contact with kindred spirits is better than isolation. One should not underestimate the value of communicating with others. People's reactions act as a mirror, reflecting one's own personality. With unerring exactness reactions will show how one's bearing and words register.
It does not necessarily mean that one should change one's behavior to suit the taste of other people. The result would be that one were steered by outer considerations, instead of from within oneself, leading to loss of self-respect.
Communicating means entering into the world of the person one is in contact with. Otherwise it will be difficult to understand the meaning of what is being communicated. To lend an ear without lapsing in a discourse about one's own convictions and miseries may mean a sacrifice to some, though. In conversation one should apply terms that are understandable within the framework of the other person.
Lack of social involvement may also be the result of one's failure to develop social contacts. John Donne once said, "No man is an island".
Isolation can exist even when you're in a room filled with people. It's like you see bodies everywhere and the noise just fades...sometimes I think to be social can also mean to be okay with being by yourself and entertaining yourself. For instance, I love going to the bookstore to sit and read a book OR enjoy a cup of coffee or hot chocolate while listening to soft tunes. I am entertaining myself and having a wonderful time.
ReplyDeleteContact with one's kindred spirit, or soul mate, as some may say, is something people search their whole life and never find -- perhaps because they don't allow themselves the gift of possibility. When you find an individual you connect with on this level, you'll feel an interactive energy field of sorts that connects you and dances around you.
ReplyDeleteWhile not limited to just one person in our lifetime, this is a 'gift' in our lives and should be regarded as such. Kindred spirits are attuned to and in tune with who we are. Karmic settlement can occur from an initial encounter as brief as just a few minutes and be of such a magnitude that we feel an immense pull to this person. Sometimes it takes walking away from them to see if the connection is as strong as we believe and if they return to us. Some are lucky, others not so.
My point -- treasure the gift as it comes to you, be open to possibilities and receptive to the journey you have the unique opportunity to take. Kindred spirits come in to our lives to remind us to protect and care for who we are, to not change who we are to impress or be with someone and to be strong enough to walk away from situations that compromise our beliefs. These special gifts are so much like us that they balance who we are, understand our thoughts before we speak and know just the right touch or word to take away the pain, ease a weary mind, or encourage a next step. They are gifts, indeed!....and it's a walk worth taking!