It seems that having a circle of friends is important more than just at the end of our lives, as well. Research shows that having a circle of friends actually helps us live longer, stay healthier and live a less stressful life.
While having a spouse can be beneficial to our well-being, having a circle of friends cuts through the singles stigma by giving this benefit to those who haven't married or have chosen not to marry. It shows the importance of being interdependent in our relationships with each other. Interdependence is the balance that brings people together in a healthy vibrant relationship. Tara Parker-Pope writes about the right balance of friends.
Just as we need interdependence in our relationships with people, we also need interdependence with the earth that we use to sustain ourselves. Gina Stepp writes how the earth that we call home needs to be treated as a valuable partner in order for continued harmonic sustenance to happen. Stepp points to the mindset that human beings employ as the problem with the unbalance that exists between mankind and nature.
Stepp shows this mindset as a cause for the challenges that beset many areas of the world where we see hunger, strife, envy and greed playing a part in human suffering. Identity also plays a big part in the human worldview that prevents change and harmony. You can read about it on the Vision.org website.
Balance in all of our relationships brings fullness and peace to our lives in a way that should push out selfishness and apathy. We should realize that a balanced mindset propels us forward to healthy, vibrant relationships that are a well source for a long and peaceful life. Lady Davinci's Salon interviewed Natalie Gahrmann in 2006 about achieving balance in our lives. It's worth taking a second look at it!
Until next time,
Jerry de Gier
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