What's Love?

To dovetail on to your piece on families, I find that we are growing and changing into new family structures connected through common interests in an uncommon way. Friendships like ours that span generations feel more comfortable than more traditional groupings.

What draws people together to form some unlikely families of choice? I think it things like common interests and activities but, I think it is much more. It is a new vision with inspires people to be there best selves.

While I am still an undecided in the Democratic race for President. I can't help but admire Barack Obama's ability to bring people together that until recently might not have even shared a cup of coffee. What are the common denominators? Being valued and recognized for individual and collective contributions, perhaps the focus on making the world a better place and having a voice. Clearly imagination and inspiration are the fuels that feed and energize communities allowing them the opportunity of possibility. Love of purpose and love of each other is the result. We do our best work, be our best self when we are part of a supportive community. I am fortunate to belong to such a community---new rules for a new world.

Holding the Space

I think that in life sometimes we forget how interconnected we are to each other. Whether it is within our families, our communities, our workplaces or just plainly the personal webs that subconsciously weave on a daily basis. These webs that we weave are with us always, even in our most intimate relationships. Even amongst two people, these connections tie us and bind us; whether it is children, family, friends, best friends or co-workers all our relationships are inter-connected. Our relationships ripple into the lives of friends, family, even the stranger on the bus. The ripple effect is easily forgotten, the person who you normally see on a daily basis in now regularly absent and their phone calls have ceased as well. It is so easy to forget that your actions or inactions radiate into other peoples lives. This is just one example, there are so many others of how we all connect, how we give and take.

For me, the best gift that was given was having friends hold my space in the world for me. Hopefully their wait was worth it and I am more educated, experienced and open to the world again.