Gravity

The force which pulls us all down to the surface of the earth is gravity. Whether an object the size of a penny or a something as large as school bus, we are all compelled by the universal scientific law that keeps us safely on the face of our blue planet. Three hundred and sixty five days a year we abide to this law with few instances of deviation, however, certain conditions such as nose diving in an air plane, being launched into outer space, or being tossed by the furious strength of a storm can loop hole a way around the law of gravity.

That's what friendship is, gravity. When we develop friends the union between individuals is bound by an unspoken rule of trust, forgiveness, and desire to support and encourage one another. Though some friendships take much more time and effort than others, all friendships have the same core features, a universal sense of trust, respect, love, and encouragement. As the friendship deepens the gravity strengthens, it becomes harder and harder to break the initial ingredients which have transformed the relationship into something more closely resembling family.

A quote from the February 2018 film The Black Panther goes like this "In times of trouble the foolish build walls while the wise build bridges." Friendship takes a conscious effort and active energy, however, the rewards of friendship often lay in the subconscious and passivity. For example, your birthday becomes much more meaningful with a close group of friends and family celebrating your life; I'd rather have a gathering of 10 people who know me well than 100 strangers. Experiences move to another dimension as multiple perspectives give an event a new taste and flavor.

However, like gravity the bond of friendship can also be per-plunked. Have you ever ran into someone who's presence felt life draining? Someone you attempt to avoid but they linger in your mind adding undue stress and pressure in your life? You may want to consider is the product of this friendship life-giving or unnessesary stress? Now that's not to say every bad experience gives the green light to break off a friendship; every orchard has seasons with bad apples, however something is wrong when you planted apples and lemons pop up. The best way to approach this by first asking do I feel encouraged? respected? trusted? and loved? Recently a long-term friendship of ours took a serious nose dive; in these rare circumstances the law of gravity is broken and the friendship is changed.

The Next Step; Uncertain

Life just feels so uncertain. It's that moment when you're driving into a metropolis like Atlanta or Minneapolis and suddenly one road branches like a tree into five directions. Overwhelmed, overstimulated, and way over stressed. The road my beautiful wife and I've been on has been lovely but is now coming to a season of change, we know we have to take an exit that is soon approaching but where to go? how much further? which exit is correct?

When making these kinds of decisions we often fall back on an external source to guide us; my parents utilized the Atlas, where my generation has heavily relied on the precision of GPS. Both approaches comes with an Achilles heal; The Atlas cannot predict road closures and GPS easily lose connection or misdirect you.

Mentoring has been a fall back medication for my life's uncertainties. I see the choices my friends, family, and mentors have made and much like the Atlas try to follow in their foot-steps trusting in the map and the journey they've made before me. Though I idealize these influential men and women in my wife, we're all born with a sense of uniqueness; the road that worked for my brother would does not necessarily work for me.

G.P.S. stands for Global Positioning System and is used to travel from point A to point B without the stressful and challenging task of navigating the Atlas. My wife and I love GPS it's helped us explore the world in a way that wouldn't be possible without it's direction. Through utilizing this resource we've discovered jewels such as hidden waterfalls in the Carolinas and secret drives along Lake Superiors North Shore. One word dims the journey however leaving us with a sense of dread; recalculating. The technology's way of way of saying, "ummmmm.....guys?", "well it's gotta be around here somewhere...", or "Okay, I admit it I'm lost." Utilizing your own resources, motivation, and power can be fun and exciting in times of change, however, what happens when you get going in like and suddenly your internal GPS says "Recalculating."

That brings me back to uncertainty. Though initially negative, uncertainty forces us to move. Whether we make a plan far before the exit or seconds from our turn action needs to be taken in the face of uncertainty. I guess that's where I need to grow most, utilizing both my Atlas and GPS to help make the wisest and most informed decision.