Originally posted on Facebook HERE
Slightly different view today. Huatulco, Mexico. What a crazy life. Thinking a lot about relationships lately – and how they change over time. How some people seem to stay in your life and others pass through, how what used to be a great relationship can turn sour, and how some start out rocky then become rock solid. Sometimes things change because of a change in the physical distance – someone moves to a new area, and the relationship falls off. But we all change over time. What we thought we were five years ago won’t be who we think we are today. Sometimes there’s a major shift – like when I quit using drugs and alcohol. My entire network of friends needed to be shifted as the “drinking buddies” had to be weeded out I guess. But the real friends remain to this day. My job change last year started some great new relationships and ended many as well. Sometimes when you’re dealing with friends and family, emotions can get heated. Things can be said either by you or to you that are really hurtful. We all have those little areas inside ourselves that are “touchy”, and if someone makes a remark that hits one of those areas, it can create a rift in the relationship. Then it’s up to us to decide how to handle it, because in those times, in the moment – anger can come flying up to the forefront. And in those moments of anger, relationships can be lost. I’m not sure it ever feels good to lose what was once a great relationship, but it happens all the time. I’m not sure why people continue banging their heads against the wall in what was never a good relationship, but that also happens all the time as well – sometimes due to circumstances like family or work where you have to deal with someone you’d rather not have in your life at all. Losing a relationship can really take a bite out of our soul, even if in the long run it’ll wind up being good for us. Divorces hurt. No matter what the reason. And, how do we handle the bad relationships we can’t avoid? How much anger and frustration do we have to feel before we can just see everything with love? Even the anger and frustration… Because sometimes, the secret lies in what we perceive. If we think – ugh – Ed’s gonna be at that meeting, he’s such a pain in the ass, I can’t stand that guy, it’ll take all the effort I have not to sock him one – well, that’s what we’ll see. But, we get to choose. We can choose to think – instead – “I’ve never really gotten along with Ed, but today I’m going to try to change that. I will not let him push my buttons. I see the meeting today as a turning point. From now on I’ll do everything I can to make it better.” – that’s a choice that could make a difference. Doesn’t always work, though. So, as life goes on – treasure the moments you get with those special people that no matter what you’ve been through, or ever will go through together – will always be there for you. I get to reconnect with some people I consider great friends this week. In Mexico, no less. Life is a crazy ride, best done with the people you know and love, and let the rest come and go as it will… and always try to see you life and everyone in it with love. We need more love in our lives, and in the world 
