Antoine de Saint-Exupery writes that: “Love does not consist in gazing at one another, but in looking outward together in the same direction.” But it might just be that love could consist of standing together and looking outward in different directions.
Who do you love for their view of the world that is very different than yours?
It is an interesting situation in which I find myself at the present time. A 50ish year old woman cleans my home monthly. In conversations between us, I find that she is a strong believer in what she considers to be the truths by which to live her life founded in the Bible. She expressed sadness when she learned that I do not accept the divinity of Jesus or the concept of original sin. Even though I have become curious about the contents of the Bible and am “ploughing” through it in its totality, I find my beliefs unchallenged by either the book or the woman. However, in her manner of service to me, not only in her work as a home cleaner, she shows me a great amount of love and caring and helpfulness which I greatly appreciate. I am happy, in fact, that we can have the bond of liking each other as persons when we have periodic contact with each other. Diverse, yet understanding of each other.
I really value my friend’s optimistic view of the world. Due to depression and anxiety, I tend to see all the problems, obstacles, and negative aspects and have a harder time holding on to hope. She manages to show me the world from a different, more positive angle while still validating my experience. I find this very healing.
As a response to Martin’s comment, I want to add that I too respond to my friends’ support as a very valuable part of my life.