August 2, 2008

“What is a friend? A single soul
dwelling in two bodies". - Aristotle
Today
finds me thinking of Friendship. Real Friendship.
Sharing something you enjoy with someone, and perhaps
doing something new because your Friend wants to share
their likes with you.
""More
generally, the value of the Platonic conception of
friendship is that it is open ended: there is always
more to discover and enjoy in the best friendships.
Friendship is a way of life, in the sense of a being a
constant process of becoming with others. It is
distinguished from other kinds of love by a dynamic that
results in an increasing self-awareness coupled to
knowing the other better. Friends want to know each
other and be known. And, the best friendships are not
confined to a mutual introspection, but are fed by the
common striving of the friends after knowledge, goodness
or wisdom which lies beyond them both."" - Mark V
One of
the hallmarks of a person who is more likely to be a
friend-that-was than a friend-for-life, is that person
quotes anonymous people who say they were my friend but
I betrayed them. That’s such a huge turnoff, that
usually wakes me up in an instant. A friend would never
even consider saying something like that, because it’s
so objectifying, so impersonal, so unfair, so
un-friendly. In a court of law you’re entitled to
cross-examine your accusers. Same in the court of
friendship. - Dave W
Dave & Mark bring up interesting points, what is and
what isn't Friendship. Friendship isn't someone
telling lies or gossip, and wanting to you share &
spread their hate. It isn't mass emails filled
with lies aimed at doing harm to anyone out of jealousy.
Make no mistake -- that's hatred --, not Friendship. It
isn't being told who you can be Friends with - - that's
childish. And
that's why you never see that from this site, Webmaster
or any of the Moderators.
Today, I thank those of you who have continued to
forward as attachments the hate emails other's have
sent. Please know we appreciate your doing so.
Keep ignoring them and keep forwarding them. :) And keep
feeling the Love!
Friends reach out across miles, through language
barriers and into the hearts of others. We
translate words, even though we know their meanings
within our souls. Mountains, Prairies and Oceans cannot
stop us from sending a kind word, a good thought and
uplifting message. Friends spread Happiness.
I want to thank all of those I have come to know and
call Friend. Each of you with a pure heart, no
malice and only kindness. We share a bond of André
Rieu's music, and constantly seek other similarities
while we relish our unique differences. We share and
spread Happiness. We are Friends, and that is a very
good thing. :)
Please
send your story and photos to
Sally@AndreRieuFans.com
We will put it on
the web and you can help
create this tribute to our favorite Maestro.