The Importance of Friends and Family
by Michael S. Tyrrell
January 5, 2021
Happy New Year, Wholetonians!
Are you glad 2020 is over?
Last year at this time, 2020 was being touted as “The Year of Clear Vision.” Well, I can tell you this is true in some respects, but probably not in the way it was being proclaimed.
There were a lot of unwelcome changes that took place last year. One of those was the need to keep our distance from some of our very favorite people. For many it was a self-imposed distance to help keep safe those we love and who are most vulnerable. Yet for some people the distance was put in place by statewide enforced ordinances. All of a sudden, many of the things we took for granted were affected: not being able to freely see, hug and kiss loved ones during the varied stages of Stay At Home orders. Many families who always spent the holidays together found themselves spending them apart.
This, along with other things, has caused me to have a clearer vision of the importance of our friends and family.
We are made for connections. These love connections add the spice, the color and flavor in our lives.
In and through all of life’s ups and downs, our experiences are deeply marked by our personal relationships as we go through them.
Think about that for a moment. It’s the love, the encouragement, hugs, tears, laughter, prayers, and well-wishes that are embedded in our memories of life’s milestones.
I have long considered myself an encourager and motivator, always willing to jump in and help others through difficult times and to participate in celebrating others’ wins. Over the past few months, however, I have been humbly on the receiving end of the prayers, encouragement, and help of friends and loved ones because of a personal health challenge. It’s amazing how this can open your eyes to a deeper level of appreciation for one another. I realize how every success, every win, every loss, every challenge is meant to be shared and carried with the love and support of our sweet friends and family.
Don’t believe it yet?
When you receive great news, do you keep it to yourself or do you reach out to tell those you know will congratulate you and celebrate with you?
When you receive bad news, do you keep it all to yourself or do you find yourself calling on those you know and trust to help you cope?
When we have the love and support of our friends and family…
- Victories become a lot sweeter
- Losses become a little less bitter
- Burdens become more bearable
- Joys become greater celebrations
So in this new year, I pray you enter it with a clearer vision of the importance to cultivate these very special relationships. I hope you take the time to tell those whom you love and appreciate, well, how much you love and appreciate them.
Until next time…
Be Whole,
Michael S. Tyrrell
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