"Sometimes our light goes out but is blown into flame by another human being. Each of us owes deepest thanks to those who have rekindled this light."-Albert Schweitzer
During Valentines Day, I thought it would be good to reflect on the joy and necessity of real friendship.
We each reach defining moments in our life. Trying moments. Moments that rock us to the core. The candle that once burned so brightly can quickly be snuffed out. How many unlit candles walk by us each day?
A rare soul is a true friend who comes with a smile and a flame within them to hold up hope for someone who maybe at that moment can no longer hold it up for themselves. With a simple hug, listening ear and warm words of encouragement that soul can relight the other's candle again. We need to cherish such individuals.
"Each friend represents a world in us, a world possibly not born until they arrive, and it is only by this meeting that a new world is born." -Anais Nin
This speaks to the concept of soul friendship. Each one of us has a soul friend. They are a gift. The Celts had a term for such a soul friend. It was your Anam Cara . Referring to the authentic and rare way that soul-friends connect and bond.
According to John O'Donohue, an accomplished Irish poet, philosopher and Catholic priest,states "When you are blessed with an anam cara, the Irish believe, you have arrived at that most sacred place: home."
Now, I am not suggesting that peer support specialists should relate with those they assist at this level. What I am suggesting is that at the table of those who support them (and us), we need to have people in our lives (like this) that can feed our spirit and make us feel at home in this world. We as peer support specialists need to support others in restructuring, re-connecting or bolding stepping out to forge new connections like this.
Love is a risk. The only risk-free environment is a coffin. The gamble is worth it because the payoff is vulnerability, shared meaning, mutual joy, social wellness and true community among peers.
No one deserves to be alone in their recovery journey. Everyone needs a few, good friends.
Happy Valentines!!!!
“Truly great friends are hard to find, difficult to leave, and impossible to forget.”-Unknown
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