To converse is a great gift and is a pity when it draws to a close. To spend unhurried, undisturbed moments together in a discussion, truly hearing and learning is quickly becoming a lost art or at least and endangered species. I was in Chick-fil-a last week and noticed the to-go style box, sitting on the window sill that was made to store mobile phones during the meal. Apparently, this is what it has come to. Giving our undivided attention to one another is a precious gift these days as the noise of the age, screams for our attention. I listned to a 2007 interview with Irish poet John O'Donohue this week and his definition of love and friendship was a "safe space to be who you are without being battered by the force of expectation". I know right, it's great, and even better when spoken with a wee bit of an Irish accent. When I heard this definition it really made me consider who I share those safe spaces with and realized I don't make these conversations a priority. To say "yes" to these important opportunities, "no" must be said to the urgent that will continually pull us away. I have been enjoying great conversations with a good friend during our commutes, however, I can be distracted from the conversation by DC traffic (my fellow commuters are pleased that I am paying attention to the road). These conversations, void of pretense and expectation lead to vulnerability insight into who we really are and allow us to see clearly about how we see the world. We must make space in our lives to share the safe space of deep friendships.
Who do you share this safe space of friendship with? How are you intentional about creating this space? What hinders these conversations from occurring? What benefit have you experienced from having these friendships? How have they changed over the years? What can you do to enhance these friendships?