Friendship: 

"There are few things more nourishing to me than concentrated time with someone who feels like soul family – a curious, deep thinker who rouses long conversations about life and art or the multi-dimensional nature of reality.

As a young woman I often felt like a misfit, someone whose curiosity and interests were just outside the lines of normal. I was broody and introspective. I liked silence and space and time to ponder the bigger questions of life and there seemed to be few people around me who shared these interests.

I imagine my friends and family thought I was strange.

I did my best to fit into the “acceptable human being mold” by keeping to myself, going along to get along, or helping others in the hopes of gaining entry into the club. But I couldn’t maintain the charade.

It’s painful to live in a perpetual state of containment.

Today I’m no longer willing to spend the precious time I have left on the planet dodging sarcasm, feigning interest in boring topics, or defending my choice to live an examined life.

My standards for healthy friendships have evolved because of the good people I have around me - friends who value personal growth and consciousness, who are able to be vulnerable and open-minded, and who are willing to take responsibility for their own stuff."

~ Cheryl Richardson