The Wealth Of Relationships
You Are Richer Than You Realise
“You are the sum total of everything you’ve ever seen, heard, eaten, smelled, been told, forgot — it’s all there. Everything influences each of us, and because of that I try to make sure that my experiences are positive.” — Maya Angelou
I had a lovely day. My friends and ex-colleagues came over for lunch. The last two days planning, organising and putting things in place made me happy.
It is funny how we take so many things for granted. We worked together for years in a school. Every morning we entered school, chattering nineteen to a dozen, complementing each other, noticing minute details of clothing, footwear, even jewellery. We would laugh happily, and click pictures for no rhyme or reason. Just a sublime joy in sharing and collecting memories for the future.
Today eight years later I still make the effort to stay in touch despite knowing everyone is so involved in their own lives.
It is so easy to drift apart.
However, the times we shared were special and were such happy days that whenever we do meet now it’s as though we have travelled back in time. Nothing has changed.
The love, affection, and laughter are spontaneous and we share our joys and sorrows and update ourselves about all our colleagues and students. We laugh and gossip about the past and wonder how we survived such demanding schedules those days.
During our lives, so many people drift in and out. Everyone, significant or non-significant remains etched in our memory. Sometimes I remember someone I knew for a very short period, and wonder where and how that person is today. The very fact that he came to my mind is indicative of the unconscious impact he or she made on me and I wish for another opportunity to meet again.
Today social media has given us the possibility to search out and track acquaintances from our past who may be in different corners of the world.
It is so wonderful to re-establish links with long-lost friends and transports you back in time with alacrity and happiness. We may not have met for years, but the time that we spent together will always evoke the happiest of memories and feelings that give us hope, strength and acceptance that nothing in life is permanent so cherish the people and opportunities that you experience over time.
I do know that I can only have conversations in my mind with my parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles who are no longer in this world. The years slip by and the memories are as fresh as ever. Events, visits and sometimes even the clothes we wore or the dishes we relished together are vivid and make me nostalgic and realise the harshness of reality.
You cannot bring back people or time so it’s important to appreciate and enjoy them while the opportunity exists.
Don’t be lazy when it comes to relationships. Invest in them as if there is no tomorrow. Each and every person in your life has a purpose that may not be visible and you will learn lessons from every association. Build memories that will hold you in good stead when times are tough and look forward to change and new people in life drawing strength from the people that exist in your life and the ones that made you the person you are today.
“After all, seasons change, so do cities; people come into your life and people go. But it’s comforting to know that the ones you love are always in your heart. And if you’re very lucky, a plane ride away.” – Carrie Bradshaw, Sex And The City
