One of my close friends and I spent some time together the other day catching up on life and our longings in life. And he said something that I believe has immense value to it. He was talking about his time this summer working with junior high youth and how they have been empahsizing the aspect of community. More so in the frame of close friendships. He told me that they have been telling the youth that it is important and vital to your life that you have at least 4 close friends that you share your life with. One of those should be your spouse/significant other but to have a strong bond with three other people that you not only have fun with but have a sense of accountability to and share your life with.
The principle is just as important today for adults as we live in a culture where we are becoming more and more isolated from one another. So the challenge is to look at your life and name 4 people that you consider to be close with. (By close, I mean see frequently and share your lives with each other). I also realize that those close friends change from time to time but it is important to have those connections. My wife is my best friend and supporter and without her I would not be where I am today. And I also have 3 other close friends who I share my life with and that is part of the reason I have not gone crazy yet.
2 comments:
Dear Randall,
Just wanted to let you know how much I appreciate your entire blog. This piece in particular has got me thinking, "Who are my four friends?" My wife, like yours, in one, and I have at least three others, but my problem right now is that they're all spread out over the world. So they don't fit the criteria of people I "often see." I think combating this isolation through the intentional development of close friendships is one of the more important spiritual practices of our modern lives. Thanks for the reminder.
Yeah I can agree with, especially since graduating from college. The cover of my journal right now says " always keep at least 5 companions...one to encourage, one to keep you humble, and three for socializing". I love it.
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