The Ocean of Relationships

As I was thinking of my friendships this morning - I couldn't help but be reminded of the sea, with it's ever changing and evolving waters, shoreline and beauty.

The ocean is incredibly powerful, as we have witnessed many times with hurricanes and floods. Relationships are the same way - the people we let in our lives will highly influence who we become. I've been told that the person we will be 5 years from now, depends on the books we read and the people we associate with NOW. And I truly believe it.

Some friendships are moved by circumstances - they seem to ebb and flow like the tides, in and out. These friends are your best buds for a time, and you see them constantly. Then, as the tide retreats, that time becomes fewer and farther between. Sometimes it's a gradual tide pull, and other times it happens as an undertow - one minute they are with you and the next they are out to sea. The interesting thing about these relationships, is that they may very well return to your life once the tides of circumstance turns.

Imagine the tide rolling in and out - can you see the sand near the shallow water being churned up and "muddying" the water? This occurs in these relationships as well. When we have periods of time where we are not invovled in each others lives, things happen and people change in ways we might not expect. When the tide comes back in - our lives collide and can "muddy" the relationship waters, as we expect things to be status quo as before. With these relationships, we must expect to work harder to clear the waters as the tides return, so we can enjoy the occasional unique shells of this friendship brought in with the tide. Usually you will have to work to find them, and it will take effort and patience, but once in a while, you will be rewarded with a whole sand dollar, or a beautiful complete sprial shell.

Like a small tidal pool in a reef - some friendships are always there, at an essentially constant level. That is not to say that you see them daily, but you will find you usually have some sort of consistant contact.
There are times when the water is higher, and times when the level dips, but for the most part, these are the friendships that are closest to your heart. You can count on them to be there when you need a place to go and just be. A place where you will be accepted for who you are, and the waters are calm and peaceful.

If you get your snorkel and look just below the surface, you will find many treasures in these friendships. The brilliant and beautiful colors of honesty, kindness and caring will thrill you! Encouragement and grace are abundant and provide the safety of the reef. This type of relationship will withstand the test of time, and will become your one of your favorite spots to stop and reflect.

I've been personally grieving the loss of a friendship, and with it, finding anger and frustration in how much power this relationship seems to have over me. Now I understand that the relationship may or may not be over, only the tides will tell. It's not for me to determine, but for me to find the good in it. Friendships may come and go, some will be deeper than others, but every person we come in contact with can be a blessing in our lives if we look for it. Know what to expect and you will be ready for the loss that comes when the tide heads out with your friends on it. Know that the cycle will come around again, and look for the beauty mark they have left in your life. Then smile at the power of our relationships to shape and grow our lives!

sleepless nights

Well - my goal was to write daily here for 21 days... I guess today counts as day 1 again? :)

Last night was a rough night. It always is when Grady is gone. I have the hardest time getting to sleep! We are late nighters anyway, but it takes me another 2-3 hours to get to sleep when Grady isn't here. Sometimes I just lie in bed tossing and turning, sometimes I get up and do something, and sometimes I do a little of both! Most times I end up reading a book or watching tv trying to unwind. I'm tired, but just can't get to sleep!

Now if I had been married since I was 20, and always had someone around in the evening, this would make sense. But I wasn't. I slept on my own most of my adult life (and ALL of my childhood!). So truely, it's only been the last 3 years that I've gotten used to having someone next to me while I'm sleeping. Grady is gone about 1/2 of the month, which means I should be used to sleeping alone part of the time... ? Very strange.

The only thing I can come up with is our nightly routine of snuggling before sleep. It is my favorite part of the day - wrapped up in his arms feeling safe and secure. We always say that no matter what is going on, when we have our nightly snuggle, all is right with the world. <3 When he's not here, I miss out on that part of our evening, and the "signal" that it's time to sleep. I've tried snuggling with pillows but it's not the same... so I will continue to get to bed late, and thankfully have the ability to nap during the day if I need to! Or I can use an XS Shot in the afternoon. And in a few days, Grady is home, and life is back to normal!

irony

I recently have been enjoying some friends' blogs, and had to ask myself, why have I not kept up with blogging? I love sharing life with others! So why....? No good reason. Laziness? Low priority? Lack of interest? Perhaps all of the above.

So I decided to pull up my blog site and add a new entry. As I was reading the LAST entry - from about 18 months ago, I found it very ironic it was all about consistancy! I had just read the book "The Slight Edge" that discusses how the little things we do (or don't do) consistantly will make the difference is how your life develops! Obviously, I'm still dealing with lack of consistancy... but working on it every day! I'm proud to report that I am getting better at being consistant... slowly but surely!

So here's my new challenge to myself: consistantly blog for the next 21 days. I've read that 21 days makes a habit... can I make this my daily habit? I think I can! Join me on this journey! Love your feedback!
Blessings!