Nourishment

I was reminded today how important it is to nourish the ones we care about the most. Including our selves.

I had lunch with one of my dearest of friends who lives only a few long minutes away.  We always seem to comment on how we'd like to get together more often. But life has pulled us into different directions where we peddle away at our various rates and then find time a few times a year to reconnect and provide a little nourishment to our ages-long friendship. 

Usually we talk about different gossip going on in our lives or those we know.  Today's lunch was a little different. I am usually not forthcoming with sharing problems I am facing, my tendency has been to keep my own issues tucked away and focus only on the positive.  This gift I'm sure was given to me by my mom - the eternal optimist.  At lunch today I wanted so badly to share with my dear friend the confusions and fears that I have been wrapping in my head and heart over the last number of months.   And I did!  She was a sweet angel in my time of need.  She sat across from me listening and supporting me as I described my frustration of the day and the desire I have to learn more: about me, about my husband, about life.  Open and accepting without a single judgement of me or my perspective.

What's funny is this kind of conversation is exactly what one expects when gal-pals get together. They talk about their troubles and support each other to learn how to solve life's mysteries and miseries.   But this wasn't me as my usual self. This is me the blogger, the singer, the yoga student!  This is me as a new student of life.  

What also made this lunch a little different is that my friend commented how she was so happy to hear me open up about these tough times I'm having.  That giving - sharing my life in this way felt good, for her.   She felt a stronger connection - bonding because I could share with both the ups AND downs of my life.  I admit to you that I am not the type of person who expresses her feelings when frustrated, confused or upset. My habit has been to hold it in and assume it will magically disappear. I definitely am not in the habit of spilling my downs at a restaurant with a friend I haven't seen for a few months because of my fear of being judged and rejected.  But today's practice was quite different. I felt heard, important and it wasn't scary at all!    I send my gratitude to my friend and look forward to our next outing!

In sharing the not so glamorous side of my self I got to nourish this very important friendship as well as nourish a deeper connection with me and the way I see life. 

Now that's a great accomplishment for a Wednesday afternoon!