But no matter the medicinal virtues of being a true friend or sustaining a long close relationship with another, the ultimate touchstone of friendship is not improvement, neither of the other nor of the self. The ultimate touchstone is witness, the privilege of having been seen by someone and the equal privilege of being granted the sight of the essence of another, to have walked with them and to have believed in them, and sometimes just to have accompanied them for however brief a span, on a journey impossible to accomplish alone.
David Whyte – CONSOLATIONS: The Solace, Nourishment and Underlying Meaning of Everyday Words
REFLECTION:
- Who has helped you on your journey so you could accomplish a life that was impossible to do alone?
- Who have you helped on the journey to accomplish the impossible?
- Who can you thank today?
- Who can you help today?