Friendship

The dynamic of friendship is almost always underestimated as a constant force in human life.

A diminishing circle of friends is the first terrible diagnostic of a life in deep trouble. Of overwork. Of too much emphasis on a professional identity. Of forgetting who will be there when our armored personalities run into the inevitable natural disasters and vulnerabilities in even the most ordinary existence.

Friendship transcends disappearance. An enduring friendship goes on after death. The relationship advancing and maturing in a silent internal conversational way even after one half of the bond has past on.

The ultimate touchstone of friendship is not of improvement. It is witness. The privilege of having been seen by someone and the equal privilege of being granted a sight of the essence of another.

— David Whyte, Friendship

An important reminder of what is most important in the end.

It's definitely worth 7 minutes to listen to Whyte read the full piece.