We Are Meant To Meet One Another

We are meant to meet one another. I have resonated with you among many for a significant reason. There is something you are supposed to gain from me, and something I am supposed to gain from you. Every encounter, every interaction, every moment we share with another person has purpose and intention if you are paying close enough attention. There is no such thing as mere coincidences, or chance occurrences that happen without reason. Instead, I believe the vast universe has a hand in orchestrating and conspiring for these meetings, guiding us towards one another for reasons that often transcend our immediate understanding. Each person we cross paths with represents a unique opportunity for personal growth, learning and transformation.

A favorite poem of mine is The Guest House, by Rumi. It goes,"... This being human is a guest house. Every morning a new arrival. A joy, a depression, meanness, some momentary awareness comes as an unexpected visitor. Welcome and entertain them all! Even, if they are a crowd of sorrows, who violently sweep your house empty of its furniture, still, treat each guest honorably. He may be clearing you out for some new delight. The dark thought, the shame, the malice meet them at the door laughing and invite them in. Be grateful for whoever comes because each has been sent as a guide from beyond." This enlightening poem was written in the thirteenth century, and has served as a guiding light for me in the twentieth century.

Dear reader, we are each other's guests now albeit brief, long staying or returning guests. In this vast world our paths have crossed, creating a unique moment in time of connection, however momentary it may be. Each interaction we have whether it lasts for only a couple of hours, or stretches into a couple of days or years serves as something principally special. And when we think of ourselves as guests in one another's lives, we also acknowledge the transient nature of our relationship uniquely as companion and client.

Then there are those relationships that develop over a long period of time, evolving into even deeper friendships. In these instances we become more than mere guests; we become part of each other's journeys, sharing laughter, challenges and moments of vulnerability. The richness of these long-term connections adds layers to our lives, providing support, understanding and companionship that we can rely on through various seasons.

Moreover, there are some of you who very well may return to my guest house after a long time apart, like familiar guests returning to an intimate and cherished gathering. These intimate reunions come with a sense of nostalgia and warmth of our shared memories. They remind us that while a considerable time may pass and circumstances change, the momentous bonds we forge can withstand the test of time. Every reunion is an opportunity to rekindle our connection, to catch up, and celebrate the growth we have experienced individually and together.

We are meant to meet one another. So let us cherish these fateful encounters of ours, whether they be fleeting, enduring or returning, as they enrich our very existence.