inspired yoga
  • Home
    • About Me
    • Contact Me
  • Yoga & Reiki
    • Yoga Schedule
    • Reiki
    • Tuning Fork Therapy
    • Waiver- Reiki
    • Waiver- Yoga
  • My Book, Meditation CD & Reiki Online
  • End-of-Life Doula
  • Class Themes/Newsletter
  • Picture Gallery
  • Death Cafe Meetings

Sign up to receive my newsletter

Add to newsletter

"A Friend is a Friend"

4/13/2014

0 Comments

 
Picture
Yogi Tony asked me to do a theme based on the Pete Townsend song A Friend is a Friend.  The lyrics are as follows (I edited out the repetition):

"When eyes meet in silence
A pact can be made
A lifelong alliance
That won't be betrayed
Won't be betrayed

Be friendly
Befriend me now

A friend is a friend
Nothing can change that
Arguments, squabbles
Can't break the contract
That each of you makes
To the death, to the end
Deliver your future,
Into the hands of your friend

Be friendly
Befriend me now

A promise is a promise
A handshake will seal it
No amount of discussion
Can ever repeal it
Commitment forever
To borrow or lend
Deliver your future
Into the hands of your friend

Be friendly
Befriend me now"




At first glance, it seems to be a song about friendship, but I really feel the importance of the song lays in the two words "be friendly", which is a completely different idea.   The reminder to be friendly is a reminder to consciously embrace everyone you encounter with a smile. I guess that is really all you need to do.  The two most standout interactions I had yesterday were with two strangers.  One was a homeless woman standing on a street corner; I handed her five dollars and we talked about how with the wind and looming possibility of rain made it seem like perfect nap weather.  I did hesitate to think where it might be that she would lie down to take a nap.  And the second woman stopped me in Home Depot to ask my opinion on lamp shades.  I listened to her describe the colors of her walls and we finally both agreed upon the same shade.  I am hoping it looks fabulous!

Expounding on the 'be friendly' theme, I googled exactly that...be friendly.  I was almost appalled at articles that popped up self-defined as 'how to be friendly' or '24 steps to being friendly- pictures included.'  Are we so into communicating with our technology that we need to be told the first step to being more friendly is to smile? And then shown a picture of a guy smiling?

Let's be clear; being friendly does not mean you are friends with everyone. I am sure there are many people you would not want to befriend and you probably have some 'friends' you wish you weren't friends with! It has more to do with being nice.  Simple being nice. Understanding each person you address is a spirit, too, and you cannot begin to understand their human journey. Heck, we have trouble understanding ours much of the time!

I like to saunter onto mademethink.com every once in awhile because it will put your day quickly into perspective if you need it.  People write in with true accounts of something that made them think.  The following is the most recent post as it was posted just yesterday:  "Today, I was walking as fast as I could away from a homeless man who was trying to get my attention, until he screamed, “Ma’am, you dropped your wallet!” And I turned around to see him holding it up for me to see. MMT  [made me think]" Apr 12, 2014 by andrea

I understand our healthy innate trepidation towards strangers and I am so not judging "andrea" ; I bet this happens all the time. And your location may play into your reaction, right? Downtown Detroit versus Florida beach... But an acknowledgement, just a glance, might be a step towards respecting another human's spirit. 

"I have a dream too, but it's about singing and dancing and making people happy. It's the kind of dream that gets better the more people you share it with. And I found a whole group of friends who have the same dream, and that makes us sort of like a family."

--"The Muppet Movie"




0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Picture

    Archives

    August 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    June 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    November 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    August 2017
    June 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    December 2016
    October 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    September 2012

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
  • Home
    • About Me
    • Contact Me
  • Yoga & Reiki
    • Yoga Schedule
    • Reiki
    • Tuning Fork Therapy
    • Waiver- Reiki
    • Waiver- Yoga
  • My Book, Meditation CD & Reiki Online
  • End-of-Life Doula
  • Class Themes/Newsletter
  • Picture Gallery
  • Death Cafe Meetings