THE ONE RELATIONSHIP

THE ONE RELATIONSHIP


I had a simple thought this evening. But, in its simplicity, and possibility because of it, I found a much deeper truth. We often think of ourselves as existing in a world that is built and structured around our relationships with others. We have varied sexual, social business, academic and other sundry relationships and upon these relationships we attempt to gauge our success and fortunes. Many a person has gone to great length to suggest ways in which relationships are to be carried out and go on to postulate that if all relational interactions were of a harmonious nature that war and pestilence would falter and cease to be a scourge among men. We discuss appropriate methods to converse with others, we go to great lengths to enumerate the steps that are necessary to establish and maintain positive and productive relationships with others. We name friends and may well go on to distinctly differentiate between those persons with whom we have mere social contact and others who we hold dear to our hearts. It is a common thought and a common practice. It is neither right nor wrong it is simply the state of our reflections.

I had watched the movie "A Beautiful Mind" again tonight and was consumed with John Nash's struggle to overcome his psychological difficulties. I have a graduate degree in psychology and understood some of the ramifications of being a schizophrenic and the torment that accompanies it. Relationships came to mind for some reason and as I watched I realized that he not only had to stabilize his relationship with his wife, family and past friends, he also had to establish a relationship with his tormenting delusions. A tenuous association between the real and the unreal, which gave me pause to consider a more important issue in the realm of our associations. A focal point that overshadows any other relationship we may have and a relationship that molds and shapes all other relationships. It is that relationship we have with our selves. That friendship and caring we hold for our own spirits. If we fail to have trust in our relationship with our own spirits, how can we ever fully present ourselves honestly in a relationship with others? If we possess a fragile faith in our ability to survive and overcome, because we lack trust in our abilities, how can we ever reach outward to form a substantial bond with others? If we have no love of ourselves, how then can we judge the strength of our love for our fellow man? If we deal with our own emotions on a shallow level and disregard those feelings that may cause us pain, how can we honestly and accurately give to others around us the full measure they deserve? It is one thing to do good works and quite another to come to full understanding and belief that in doing good things that we are a good person. At some moment in our lives we must come to trust in ourselves and have a belief that we are competent and capable people. If not, that lack of trust in ourselves will surely taint our interactions with others. We must strive to establish a loving and supportive relationship with our own spirits in order to free ourselves to reach out beyond our person and provide comfort to those we come in contact with. Before we can talk openly with others, we must first be honest with ourselves. Can we not entertain the thought that fear may well be the outcome of some faulty faith in ourselves and a lack of understanding in our own abilities; A relationship between our minds and our spirits that is lacking in substance.

A simple thought but an understanding that I must first strengthen my relationship with my own spirit and learn to love and respect myself before I can truly offer those emotions to others.