The Beauty and Healing Power of Friendship

Have you ever noticed how it feels to be a with a good friend and come home afterward?  There is a glow that stays with you, as you realize that you have been with someone who knows you well and loves you as you are. Or do you remember saying something to someone, who immediately understood what you were talking about and remembered the last time you had mentioned the topic. Again, such a rush of connection and beautiful energy. Scientists are beginning to prove the power of relationships, something we have known intuitively forever.

When we are feeling sick, the power of friendships is absolutely healing. Knowing that people who know you, care about you, and are concerned for your health is an uplifting feeling and one that I believe carries the energy of healing with it. A friend of mine was writing about how they have discovered a community of Italian Americans in Pennsylvania who are overweight, and generally do not live a healthy lifestyle. Even so, this particular group of people, who are in a tightknit community, have virtually no heart attacks and end up dying of ” old age”. The scientists who have studied them believe it is their feeling of connection to this tight community that makes the difference in their health.

Remember when you are with a friend to offer that extra hug, word of support or encouragement, knowing that you hold extra power for them.  And if they are sick, know that reminding them that you are thinking of them, is truly a healing energy for them to use in their time of need. In the past few weeks I have been the friend supporting people close to me, and I have also been the patient receiving the support.  I want to thank the many, many people who have held me in their thoughts and prayers. I want them to know that without a doubt my healing was increased because of the  loving energy that they sent my way. Someday, the scientists will be able to test before and after to show how that energy affects the person healing, but you and I already know that it does. I am so deeply grateful for the friends in my life.