Grassroots Gatherings for Peace, Prosperity, & Possibility
The purpose of friendship
As I was jogging through my neighborhood this morning, I inched upon two women walking together. “Did you hear about so-and-so?” one asked. Then I heard the gory details of this anonymous person’s latest physical travesty. I sped up to avoid getting queasy.
The focus this week for The What If Up Club is “friendship,” and my encounter this morning has me asking myself, “What is the purpose of friendship? Surely there’s something beyond gossip and commiseration, right?”
In a study done in conjunction with Harvard University, Claremont University, University of Illinois, University of Michigan and the University of Pennsylvania, scientists examined the top 10% of people who tested as exceptionally “happy.” Four elements that were consistent.
At the top of the list? Happy people surround themselves with friends and family. They also have more social interactions than their “unhappy” counterparts.
But there’s one thing the study did not reveal. What was the nature of those social interactions? My guess is that truly happy people are the ones whose relationships are supportive, nurturing, and mutually uplifting. That’s why they like to hang out with people… It’s not just the interaction. It’s the positive feeling of being there for one another, in good times and bad, always focused on the best parts of who we are. My own personal theory? It’s the NATURE of the interaction that brings us true and lasting delight.
Consider this sentiment from Jesus: “These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.” Could there be a better demonstration of friendship than this?
Perhaps the walkers in my neighborhood followed up their dialogue with a plan to visit their ailing friend. I like to imagine that the conversation led to a place where both women utilized the information about the other’s suffering to reach out and bring some comfort and caring to the one in need. Maybe they give her a call. Or visit. Or send a card filled with messages of hope… What if one woman’s physical ailment is the impetus for three friends to reunite?
The What If Up possibility this week is to reconnect with a friend. What if, in reconnecting, you are able to remind them why you have chosen them to be a friend? What if, in being together, you lift each other into a new experience of joy?
Let us know what happens… Looking forward to hearing your stories!
P.S. Wondering about the other three common attributes of happy people? They measure against themselves (they aren’t constantly comparing themselves to others). They put themselves into experiences of FLOW (they knew how to get into their “zone). And the last one: Happy people are really, really good at forgiveness.
The focus this week for The What If Up Club is “friendship,” and my encounter this morning has me asking myself, “What is the purpose of friendship? Surely there’s something beyond gossip and commiseration, right?”
In a study done in conjunction with Harvard University, Claremont University, University of Illinois, University of Michigan and the University of Pennsylvania, scientists examined the top 10% of people who tested as exceptionally “happy.” Four elements that were consistent.
At the top of the list? Happy people surround themselves with friends and family. They also have more social interactions than their “unhappy” counterparts.
But there’s one thing the study did not reveal. What was the nature of those social interactions? My guess is that truly happy people are the ones whose relationships are supportive, nurturing, and mutually uplifting. That’s why they like to hang out with people… It’s not just the interaction. It’s the positive feeling of being there for one another, in good times and bad, always focused on the best parts of who we are. My own personal theory? It’s the NATURE of the interaction that brings us true and lasting delight.
Consider this sentiment from Jesus: “These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.” Could there be a better demonstration of friendship than this?
Perhaps the walkers in my neighborhood followed up their dialogue with a plan to visit their ailing friend. I like to imagine that the conversation led to a place where both women utilized the information about the other’s suffering to reach out and bring some comfort and caring to the one in need. Maybe they give her a call. Or visit. Or send a card filled with messages of hope… What if one woman’s physical ailment is the impetus for three friends to reunite?
The What If Up possibility this week is to reconnect with a friend. What if, in reconnecting, you are able to remind them why you have chosen them to be a friend? What if, in being together, you lift each other into a new experience of joy?
Let us know what happens… Looking forward to hearing your stories!
P.S. Wondering about the other three common attributes of happy people? They measure against themselves (they aren’t constantly comparing themselves to others). They put themselves into experiences of FLOW (they knew how to get into their “zone). And the last one: Happy people are really, really good at forgiveness.
Comment
About
© 2009 Created by Mindy Audlin on Ning. Create a Ning Network!
You need to be a member of The What If Up Club to add comments!
Join this Ning Network