Friendship

I listen to a podcast called, On Being with Krista Tippett. On a recent episode she replayed an interview with very interesting man named, John O'Donohue, an Irish poet, philosopher, and former priest. 

Tippett's interview with O'Donohue was one of the last he gave before his unexpected death in 2008.  

I found part of the interview particularly interesting as I'd been reflecting a great deal on the relationships in my own life. Specifically, how they evolve and grow over time. I perked up when I heard Tippet ask if our generation is less capable of love, commitment, and meaningful relationships to which O'Donohue responded by saying the following:

I don’t think we’re less capable at all. I think we’re more unpracticed at it and there for more desperate for it. I think it’s a matter of attention really. That if you really knew how vital to your whole spirit and being and character and mind and health friendship actually is you will take time for it.

The trouble is for so many of us that we have to be in trouble before we remember what’s essential... you hold desperately to things that make you miserable. And that sometimes you only realize what you have when you're almost about to lose it.

I think it’d be great to step back a little at one’s life and see around -- who are those who hold me dear? Who truly see me? And those that I need? And to be able to go to them in a different way.