This morning at precisely 5:45 am, after a forty- minute swim, I popped out of the pool. Content that the swimmer in the next lane, finished as well. He is my morning buddy; one I hardly know. Once every three or four months, our swims are synchronized. At these times we talk before heading to opposite shower rooms. He knows that I look for him as my steady morning companion. He waves a hello and goodbye often wondering where I have been when I’m absent.
This morning our conversation streamed on, way beyond the chill, goosebumps, and time for others to workout. My friend is from a world of complicated economics, computers, and philosophy. I have no idea what he does. My thoughts were half thoughts, my articulation barely made sense, yet we circled back until emotional responses became more fluid. Talk of worries, family, friendships, concepts of future investing, the likelihood of change, and where happiness and balance meet. Heavy topics after a draining swim.
I live for this type of understanding, where an incomprehensible thought is extracted. The premise, accepted as incomplete, and probed with gentle questions until along the way, the string becomes a web where new or bizarre thoughts shimmer. The vibrations allow for the juxtaposition of contrary thoughts. Two sides to every coin, every coin collected until the richness of input changes the output.
A true friend is one you don’t have to agree with on every point. A friendship where no one dominates with correctness or assertiveness. The challenge of solving unsolvable problems and sharing doubts, where laughter peppers the interactions.
I thank all my friends who over the years, created an environment of give and take, so that honesty overrides fear, and we are allowed contradictions and the ability to change and thrive.
Connections like these are why my life is worth living.
Share your thoughts, complete, or just forming with me @http://www.abberolnick.com.
