Tag Archives: #Friendship

San Miguel, Week Seventeen in the No Longer New Abnormal

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Having lived as long as I have, visiting friends and family sometimes means travel.  Following our amazing time in Mexico City we took a drive to the Teotihuacán Pyramids, which were magnificent.  It’s a pre-historic Mayan city.  To walk in the same steps as those who resided there thousands of years ago is a powerful experience.  From there we traveled on to San Miguel de Allende, a lovely small city with an artistic soul. 

It was there I enjoyed a reunion with Annie, a friend for almost forty years.  It had been decades wince we saw each other. What a joy to share our memories while catching up with life now.  She, like many expats, has made San Miguel her home.  

Year after year Travel and Leisure names San Miguel de Allende one of the best places to retire.  Though stunning, warm, and inviting, the cobblestones alone, not to mention the hilly landscape, are a deterrent as a retirement destination for me.  Even so, it is easy to see the happiness of so many retired individuals. 

While in San Miguel, thanks to Annie, we had a wonderful time sitting on porches and balconies, catching up while city life passed by.  She created an amazing trip for us.  We saw markets, architecture, historical churches, art galleries, resorts, and flora and fauna.  We were all exhausted with the wealth of activities.  The food and drinks were delicious, and laugher was our soundtrack.  

I am so grateful for my wonderful friends, near and far.  It makes for a rich life, indeed.  

Self-Care Tips:

  • Reconnect with friends, especially those with whom you can laugh.  It’s always a joy when laughter is shared in our relationships. 
  • As the weather gets warmer, sit outside to people watch, read a book, or just enjoy the scenery.
  • Rub your hands together until the palms are warm, then place them on tired eyes, on your heart or belly.  It can be a self-soothing act.  

Maine, The Twenty-Sixth Week of the Second Year in the New Abnormal

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Summers are not as warm in Maine as they are in New York City.  The air is fresh with ocean mists and the sun has been shy peeking out from the fog on this visit. We came to Portland to visit friends, enjoy lobster in any number of ways, and walk the charming streets in this compact city.  

The beauty of the coast is something else.  Cliffs making way to crashing waves is beautiful from the high land.  I imagine it was devastating for sailors of the past who found the shore inhospitable.  

Larry’s and my love of traveling together began over 27 years ago on a road trip through Maine.  We loved seeing the varying coastline, the New England inns that offered warmth and pure hospitality.  Of course, lobsters featured throughout that trip.  It is nice to be back.  And, even better to be back to enjoy it with our friends.  It was a gift to see how they built a home and a community in this wonderful place.  And they shared their love for Portland with us.  Their hearts are generous, and we are such fortunate recipients of their munificence. 

Taking this short trip reminds me again of the goodness in people, and the pleasure in leaving home to open my mind and my heart.  

Self-Care Tips:

  • Send an old friend a hand-written note.  It’s so nice to connect with someone who has made a difference in your life.  If you can’t see them in person a note or letter feels good when sending it and they enjoy receiving it.  
  • Introduce new herbs and spices into your food, and/or into your garden.  I just tried lovage for the first time and it had a unique yet familiar taste to it.  
  • We’re always told to go out of our comfort zones.  Instead, give yourself some time to create a comfort zone for yourself that is cozy and safe.  Know you can always go there when needed, no matter how many times you leave.  

Happy Friendship Day, Week Thirty-One in the New Abnormal

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I’m writing this on International Friendship Day.  It has me thinking of past friends, some gone by mutual consent, some, as the wonderful Claudia Shear put it, are ‘location specific’, and some died too young.  The rest still bring me laughs, tears, and meaningful moments either with posts, texts, emails, or on a rare visit.  

I have hurt friends in the past.  I wasn’t always trustworthy.  I wasn’t always able to set limits until it was too late.  Or I just didn’t understand when to speak and when to keep quiet. I have run into previous friends who I must have upset because, though I have been happy to see them, they don’t share that sentiment.  I may not know the specifics of their interpretation of events, but I recall not really understanding how to relate to others. 

However, the friends who stuck by me, the ones who forgave me, or who didn’t feel upset by my actions taught me so much about friendship.  They taught me about the imperfect, human connectedness that is key when relating to others.    They taught me to appreciate the differences and treasure what we share in common.  I’ve learned about new musical artists.  Books have been exchanged, topics seriously discussed.  There’s been a lot of theater and film, and meals shared.  

Friendship is a gift. Sometimes I squandered that gift.  Not on purpose, but by not knowing my value, thus not appreciating that my actions impacted others.  Nevertheless, I now value those gifts from the past and in the present. I’ve internalized each and every one with whom I’ve shared an alliance. I have learned from great generosity of spirit.  I’ve enjoyed shared belly laughs, and poignant moments.  Most importantly, my friends have taught me, and continue to teach me the importance of seeing beyond our imperfections.  I have learned to celebrate happy times with friends. And my friends have comforted me when things have been tough.  I am so grateful as I continue to learn and grow thanks to dear friends.   

 

Self-Care Tips:

  • Reach out to an old friend.  If you can get together, great.  If not, send a note.  
  • Send a cartoon or meme with a friend.  Nothing like a shared laugh.   
  • For times when you need more energy, take a few breaths through your nose, then quicken those breaths.  Repeat three times, First take regular breaths through your nostrils, then quicken the breaths for about 3 to 5 inhales & exhales.  Stop if you get lightheaded.  Best to do this sitting.