Friendship is one of the most important things in life and also one of the hardest things to explain. It’s not something that can be taught. We all need it. We all value it. We all need someone in the world who loves us and values us like a true friend does. -Judy DiCristofaro (CLF)
Do something to show another person you value them.
We dedicate ourselves to the children. We dedicate ourselves to the good of the earth, from which the trees come and to which we all return. We seek to move and to make friends. We seek creativity. May our lives be blessed by the joy of play and the connections of friends.
-Adapted from words written to dedicate a playground by Jonalu Johnstone
Find something that brings you the unbridled joy of children on a playground today.
As our Jewish siblings celebrate Tu B’Shvat, the “new year of the trees,” let us ponder with them our connection to all beings. Each of our actions ripples outwards through the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part.
How can you be a friend to the trees today?
“Nobody sees a flower – really – it is so small it takes time – we haven’t time – and to see takes time, like to have a friend takes time.” ― Georgia O’Keeffe
Take the time to witness something or someone important today.
I recently saw one of my dearest friends in person for the first time in over 3 years. We’ve stayed in close touch, but the years we’ve been physically apart have been ones of huge difficulty and change for both of us, so I felt some nervousness that we wouldn’t feel as much natural ease together as we used to. But in the very first moment of seeing each other, we both burst out laughing — the strangeness of life and intensity of all we’ve been through coming up in the only way it could, through deeply connective laughter. From that moment on, I knew I had nothing to worry about. To be able to hold heartbreak, pain, and loss together, and to still be able to laugh and revel in the absurdity of it all: that’s a depth and quality of friendship that I feel so lucky to have in my life. -Rose Gallogly (CLF)
Reach out to a friend you haven’t been in touch with in a long time.
