Same or Different?
Balance opposites
I was on a walk yesterday with a friend and she mentioned how vastly different she thought we were and that yet, we were friends. We talked about it and realized though on the surface we may seem like opposites, we have distinctly similar qualities, beliefs, standards, and characteristics. In the course of our conversation, it occurred to me that we could easily have never become friends.
After barely getting to know each other, someone made a comment that put a stake in the ground between us and though we each remained cordial toward the other, a line had been drawn and neither of us crossed it. Shortly after the incident, I relocated. Two years later my life brought me back to the same neighborhood.
I saw my neighbor through my window one day and stepped out to say hello. We chatted briefly, caught up on the news of the neighborhood, exchanged email addresses and returned to our separate homes. As I emptied box after box, I thought how much I enjoyed our conversation. I sent her an email and suggested we get together. We did. Our friendship has grown since that day and I believe we will be friends for a very long time to come. We have discovered how very much alike and how very different we are and learn much from eachother.
I’m sure you’ve heard the expression “opposites attract ” and yet it’s easy to allow differences to get in the way of opportunity. When we close our eyes and open our minds our world grows. When opposites attract, they discover similarities and when likes attract, they discover differences. Just ask these unlikely friends.
El Browning
October 23rd, 2009 at 9:05 pm
I think long abiding friendships require not so much similarities in personality as an honoring of each other for the light each has to share with the world. The differences I find in my friends add great value to my life. I might find qualities I would like to develop in myself, I find counsel in times of uncertainty, I find great love , and most important of all, I find myself valued for who I am, without expectations or demands beyond just being myself.
PC McCullough
October 24th, 2009 at 11:43 am
Yes, El, true friendship is without judgement.
El Browning
October 23rd, 2009 at 9:07 pm
Oh, and by the way, great graphic of the yin and yang. Loved the video. Friendship can be found in the most unexpected ways.