I can relate to that

vi.sualize.us

Women tell stories to each other.
We sit or walk close together, telling stories
of our lives,
loves,
discoveries,
challenges,
pains
and dreams

Stories are our way to illuminate the path
and find common ground.

Our illusions of separation disappear
When we hear stories of another's struggles
or discoveries
We hear ourselves say
"I can relate to that!"

Succulent Wild Women
by Sark

At what point does an acquaintance become a friend?

I have decided that the information shared between people is where the difference is made; opening up, telling personal tidbits, find those things that are your own yet you have in common, these are the things that draw us to another.

Do you scratch the surface, give basic details (I have 2 kids) or do you elaborate (one is a biter) ? Does that person reply back, "ohhh, that is nice".... or do they say - "I have a biter too!!" Suddenly a commonality is found that bonds you - you can relate. This is what happens.

Being able to open ourselves up a bit, sharing a more than what is on the surface is where the difference between acquaintances and friends are made. While it may not be easy to show what is down a bit deeper, in the end it can be worth it.

Taking a step into the darkness

From Sark - Wild Succulent Woman
Page 33

Looking at the quote from Patrick Overton...." When you get to the edge of all the light you have, and must take a step into the darkness of the unknown, believe that one of two things will happen to you : either there will be something solid for you to stand on, or, you will be taught how to fly." Patrick Overton


We can keep our car tuned, wear our seat belt, take the safest route, drive speed limit, and look both ways - but if the car in front of us suddenly stops, or a truck slips into our lane, or some other unseen event occurs we are still going to get into an accident. We can not control all aspects. We have free will, yet all things lead to an end point in our life, where we are suppose to be - not where we THINK we are suppose to be.

We don't get that job we think we are suppose to get, we can't have a baby when WE think we are ready, we get stopped at a traffic light when we are in a hurry, our plans get canceled, we are ahead of schedule - or not, it could be just the opposite of all of these. Every event in our life effects something else (all be it so tiny sometimes), we are like a rock being thrown into a pond - our life sends out ripples and we have no idea (usually) how those ripples will effect other people or events. We get stuck at the light and miss a car accident that would have happened. We get sick and teach people along the way about perseverance and hope or, possibly, death. We don't get the job and some other opportunity comes along we would have not been looking for otherwise, etc....

Control is not as much ours as we (Americans especially) like to think. Please, sit back and think of the bigger picture. Step outside of yourself and consider how your life is effecting all other things. We like to think our life is ours (we live in our own tiny bubble) and that we don't effect the person next to us with our bad mood when in reality we then send them off in a bad mood, which in turn leads them to _________.

Even with free will, I believe there is a greater plan for all of us. One that (controversially) I think is laid out for us ahead of time. Each step and action is there for reason - a plan we don't understand until later... maybe never.

P.s. If you don't believe me ask those handful of people that for one reason or another didn't/ couldn't make it into work the day the towers were hit on 9/11....