My Friends – My Spiritual Kin !
This morning I woke with an overwhelming sense of gratitude for the support of my friends which doubled when I read some beautiful comments on my blog. I’ve been inspired to re-post this piece on friendship that I wrote a while back.
To all my new Blog Land friends – Thank you ! You will never know the impact you are having on my journey towards greater self-awareness and self-love.
My friends are my spiritual-kin. This is not a new revelation but after spending recent days communicating with some of my most treasured friends, I have been awakened to the sum of their influence upon who I see when I look inside myself. For although true friends are often described as mirrors, reflective of our hopes and dreams about who we really desire to be, who emphatically applaud and encourage us on our way, they must also bear witness to who we really are. It is because we cherish the uniqueness of their experiences and their learnings so profoundly, that we can accept their gentle critique of the sometimes flawed nature of our thinking. A friendship that stimulates self-knowing by not always supporting our ego-centricity but that challenges our self-concepts and identifies our insecurities, can be an arousing breath of fresh air to the soul.
In this world we are often consumed by the roles we play, whether as someone’s mother or partner, in our professional life, or in fulfilment of our cultural identity or status. True and honest friendships ignite greater awareness of our inner identity. These friendships provide a sense of freedom…a release from the role-playing and a peeling back of the layers that mask the essence of who we are.
Distinct from family relationships which can stifle us by promoting conformity to the group, obedience and expectation, true friendships act like a loving injection of unflappable courage. They promote individuality and self-love, and always will encourage us to leap towards the most fulfilling path. For just as we want to achieve our best for ourselves, our true friends…our spiritual kin, desire the same for us without competitive zeal or secret condemnation.
Thank you my friends !
Colleen DuBois ~ Reflections of Me 
Big hug from Tucson, Arizona. Friends are mirrors that reflect us back to us. Thank you!
September 13, 2009 at 8:19 pm
Thank you Sara. Sending hugs your way. I really mean what I say that your friendship and acknowledgement is helping me gain strength through really tough times at the moment. You help me to recognise my strength and abilities which I am needing to draw upon to keep me anchored throughout this storm.
September 14, 2009 at 3:47 am
In 1993, I was positive my world had ended. I had lost everything of material value I had worked for my entire life and had very little money left. I was wandering around a rock shop in Phoenix for lack of a job or anything to do but write. I must have looked like death walking as I wandered up and down the aisles of this block long store. A young female clerk came over and tapped me on the shoulder. When I turned she handed me a Polished Rock Slice, pale beige with all these colored rings (like a slice of an old cut tree). I told her I didn’t have the money to pay for it and she said, “It’s a gift. Remember it took millions of years of stress and pain to create something this beautiful.” I clamped my jaw shut and grinned “thank you” so I wouldn’t cry. I have a clear glass jar sitting on my counter filled with treasures of shells, sand, and rocks. My rock slice from Van’s Rock Shop is in there.
September 15, 2009 at 2:57 pm
You are so what blogging is al about my dear and we love connecting with you too! You have such a great spirit that comes out in your writing. Hugs from across the miles –
Catherine
September 13, 2009 at 10:28 pm
Thank you Catherine. That’s exactly why I love to write because it does draw out the spirit within that can otherwise become lost in the darkness.
Can you send me the code to the lovely Inspirational Blog award you so kindly gave me and I will post on my blog with a link to 8womendream ?
September 14, 2009 at 3:50 am
Not sure how I missed this yesterday but love that I scrolled back tonight. This made me pause and reflect on many of those who have walked beside/carried me at times — makes me think of all the new friends and their encouragement – me sitting here and you there – distance melting beneath the stroke of key. Mystery this connection but not mysterious the authentic so well known.
September 18, 2009 at 1:36 am
Yes, it’s so important to pause and reflect with gratitude from time to time isn’t it ? Thanks for your words.
September 18, 2009 at 9:57 pm
That is too cute. 🙂 Thank you for the comment, I will add you to my blog roll. I apolgize if I don’t comment much these days, I am enrolled in college for an Associate degree in English and my plate is so full right now. Thank you so much for reading.
September 18, 2009 at 1:33 pm
Hi Charles,
I understand completely about having a full plate ! I too have just recently enrolled in a degree in “Communication” and am working and mothering full time ! I wish you the best with your studies.
Colleen
September 18, 2009 at 9:59 pm