I can say that I've reached out to everyone that I've had a break-up with at one time or another. Reaching out doesn't mean that our relationships will ever regain the closeness we once enjoyed, but reaching out acknowledged that which divided us and my good wishes and good will for those past friends and acquaintances.
In the best possible world, there would never be a broken relationship, but for many reasons, that's almost impossible. Relationships have lives of their own. Some relationships last days while others last years and still more last a lifetime. Relationships naturally go through ups and downs, and as much as possible I try to keep relationships strong. Yet due to the changing nature of life and lots of unknowns that pop up, that's been impossible.
What factors have impacted relationships?
My relationships have been impacted by many factors over time. The break-ups for the most part have occurred due to unexpected events when I was navigating a situation for the first time. For example, several relationships were impacted by illness and not truly understanding how to help or navigate an illness path. Illness affects life in multiple ways, and I've learned that it's best to have an open mind and listening ear when it comes to navigating illness. You never know where an illness will take an individual or others affected by that illness so you need to be thoughtful, patient, and open minded as you navigate illness.
Some relationships simply end because life moves on for the people involved. These kinds of break-ups happen over time and due to countless factors that move people apart for no single reason, but instead, due to multiple natural factors.
Lately, I've experienced break-ups due to politics. I am staunchly against the deadly, self-serving, hateful, divisive actions and words of Trump and his cronies. I am unable to stay friendly with those that have given their allegiance to Trump since I see that action as inhumane and deadly. I do not believe we can promote leaders who are inhumane, corrupt, and uninterested in supporting who we are as people with the potential to live good lives. Support of evil people and groups, promotes greater evil.
Like a good garden, it's good to regularly attend to relationships, and to tread gently with those relationships. A garden doesn't profit from neglect or harsh action, but instead gardens grow well when we are gentle, consistent, and attentive. Relationships are the same.
We learn about relationships from the relationships we experience throughout life. No relationships are perfect, so the lessons we gain are never quite complete. We are always learning about how to relate better and how to do our best by the people we love and relate to.
It's important to make amends and to accept that all people have their own paths in life. Most often one path is not better than another, but simply different. The more and better we can relate to one another, the better our world and lives will be. Onward.