Largely about Relationship

 

 

 

 

The fear of death follows from the from the fear of life.  A man who lives fully is prepared to die at any time.      ~Mark Twain

 

 

 

It is easy to live fully in beautiful Key West.  It was 11 degrees back in Illinois today and my daughter reports a light dusting of snow in Nashville.  The day greeting me here is sunny, breezy, and around 70 degrees.  The tourists are running around in their tank tops and flip flops and the locals are bundled up in quilted vests and hoodies with gloves.  Another example of how we respond to what we are used to or what our particular perspective becomes.  Either way, I am most thankful to be here.

 

We have met with our friends, Bill and Sandy who live in a neighboring key year around except when they travel, which is often.  They are the kind of friends we can see every few years and we just pick up wherever we left off.  They are generous, kind, and fun.  Since they have lived in this area permanently since the 1990's, they have very interesting information about the history, the residents, property owners, and business deals.  They both are fun and interesting.

 

We will be attending the Red Barn Theater to see the play THE DIVINE SISTER. The Red Barn Theater sets off Duval Street, tucked back aways and truly is a small barn.  It is offering a comedy with 4 or 5 actors playing two different roles each.  The reviews have been very complimentary and it has been a sell-out show.  We have always had a good time there. 

 

Last night, we went to the old movie theater and saw THE SILVER LINING PLAYBOOK.  The show was packed ... it also sells wine along with the normal popcorn, etc... The movie is about a young man (Bradley Cooper) who is newly released from a mental institute diagnosed as bi-polar.  The father, played by Robert De Niro  is obsessive~compulsive with anger issues.  Although the movie is really quite funny, it also displays the heaviness of trying to fit into a society not necessarily understanding of mental illness.  In spite of the humor, I felt drawn to the abnormal behaviors caused by disease in otherwise every day people.  My awareness for these challenges was heightened, and I wondered what the world would look like if we all truly supported each other in difficult times, individually, as family, or community.

 

The field of psychology is till  not totally accepted by everyone ... which is archaic in my opinion.  I can easily recall my father telling me when I was in high school to never get counseling of any kind as I would then have to report it on job applications and no one would ever hire me.  Thankfully, mankind has taken a giant step forward since then, but as the field of psychology grows, we are called to be more vulnerable.

 

The human experience is largely about relationship with our selves and to others.  In order to deeply communicate we must share our stories to bring richer understanding to our lives and existence.  To do so, however, the fear of judgment and isolation must be removed.  We must embrace diversity found in amazing cultures and accept the uniqueness of each and every person.  If there are complications, together they can be managed and supported rather than intensified and ridiculed. 

 

To be fully present, we must all be free to be you and me.