Feelings and Relationships

Relationships and feelings have always been important to me -- especially with family and friends. The essence of a relationship consists of being open -- enlightened -- with another person who enhances you and allows you to grow and develop. The way that I approach any relationship is how can I enrich the other person by giving from my soul and sharing my thoughts and feelings with them. We must remember that we cannot live our lives through another individual be it friends, lifemates, or children. It is only when we are whole and full of love and forgiveness that we can enter fully into a relationship. This reminds me of a song by Pete Seager that says:

"We are the boat

We are the sea

I sail in you

You sail in me"

What ones needs in a relationship with yourself or with another individual is a sense of connection, knowledge of your inner essence that makes you come alive. One should feel centered so that communication with others becomes like the flow of a mountain stream that sings in the early morning sunlight. We become centered in a relationship when we exchange energy that aligns body, mind, and spirit into balance. For a relationship to become centered with a spirituality of oneness flowing between the partners, we need to become centered as individuals so that we love who we are and have a commitment to personal growth. It is only then that we can have a centered relationship that is devoid of control and manipulation. And as many people have said, relationships take time and commitment to one another and those around you.

Being centered within a relationship does not depend on the other person. Rather it is a quality of wholeness that we bring to that person. You are appreciating them from your inner soul and your heart. You are aware of yourself, the essence of the other person and the immense universe of possibilities around you. And, in many ways a long term relationship gives us an opportunity to learn important lessons and to grow the world around us. We are in a relationship for the opportunity of discovering and creating who we really are, as well as giving and supporting the other partner's goal of discovery and understanding who they are. A centered relationship should have no conditions or expectations that hinder each person's role to live life to its fullest. In such a relationship each one will be a true loving friend who will always be there.

My feelings are deep and true, for all the people around me. I have been taught to give from the heart. I care deeply about the feeling of others and try to give them a gentle push to grow and understand themselves a little better.

And, I leave you with these thoughts:

"If there were just one gift that I could give you,

I would stand as a mirror to your life,

and you would see the way you've grown,

and see the way that you shine,

and see all the love that's in your eyes."

- Ellen Stapenhorst -

Everything Happens for a Reason

Sometimes people come into your life for a reason and you know right away that they are meant to be here.

They have arrived to serve a special purpose, teach you a lesson, and to help you figure out who you are or want to become. You never know who these people might be but when you first see them, you know at that very moment that they will affect your life in a profound way.
And sometimes things may happen to you that may seem at first horrible, painful and unfair, but in reflection you realize that without overcoming these obstacles, you would never realize your potential, strength, will power or faith.

Everything happens for a reason. Nothing happens by chance, there is a destiny to be served by it all. Any Illness, love, or lost moments occur to grow your soul.

Without these obstacles, your life would be like a smoothly flat road to going nowhere -- safe and comfortable -- But, dull and utterly pointless.

The people you meet affect your life in so may ways. The successes and setbacks that you will experience creates whom you are, and the bad experiences are there for a reason, to learn from and to make a difference.

If someone hurts you, betrays you or breaks your heart, forgive them because they are here for you learn about trust and the importance of being cautious to whom you give your heart.
If someone loves you, love them back unconditionally, not only because they love you, but so that they can teach you to love with an open heart, and show you the little things that matter. Make every moment and day count.

Appreciate everything that you can, for you may never experience it again.
Talk to people with whom you have never talked to before, and actually listen to them. Let yourself fall in love and live the special life that was meant for only you.

Remember that you are a great individual and believe in yourself, for if you don't believe in yourself, no one else will believe in you. Create your own world filled with love and live it to the fullest.

David Patterson - April 2008