I’m been reflecting lately on how extremely blessed I am. Literally, generally, physically, emotionally, financially, cognitively, and spiritually. It is astounding the grace, providence, opportunities, privileges, and blessings I have received throughout my entire life.
As I thought about it, many of my colleagues are really missing hugs from their congregation and spiritual community. They are accustomed for example to getting about 100 hugs a week for some, 100 per month for others depending on personality and the mood of the week. I, however, get all those 100 hugs x 100. Everywhere I go, I am greeted with outstretched arms, a loving welcome, and supportive interaction. Hundreds of ministries and thousands of people hugging me daily, weekly, monthly, annually. Plus, all the conferences, conventions, travel, trips, family, and friends. Let’s talk friends. What a treasure chest I have.
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“Friendship is the hardest thing in the world to explain. It’s not something you learn in school. But if you haven’t learned the meaning of friendship, you really haven’t learned anything.”
— Muhammad Ali
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Good friends have enriched my life since my earliest memories. One of my favorite photos is of my friend Pat on a quilt in our front yard when we’re just a few months old. She was born a few days before me, lived next door, and our mommas were close. We’re still friends today, as well as her children, grandchildren, siblings, and their families. This is just one example of how often I’ve been friends with four generations of people routinely throughout my life. It still exists today and seems to broaden, along with my intent to keep the relationships cared for.
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How do you define a friend? Someone who you know the code to their house? Someone who was there when you had significant loss or joy? Someone you know you can call upon night or day? Someone that you trust to tell you the truth about all things, including when you’re being a knucklehead? |
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Through a magical combination of similarities and differences, friends offer us the opportunity to know and love ourselves as we are and help us grow into who we want to be. Likely, our similarities attract us to each other, comforting us with familiarity when we see ourselves in them. When we are drawn to those we admire, we are unconsciously acknowledging that these people possess qualities that we ourselves possess and likely value. “Like mirrors, friends help us define who we are by reflecting our best selves back to us.” —Martha Creek
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Friends help us know ourselves through our differences too. Differences allow us to see other options and make choices about who we want to be. They allow us to define ourselves, where we stand, what we believe, and get clearer about that without displacing our demands for sameness on them. Sometimes we are even attracted to those who appear to be more our opposites. We can learn to accept the parts of them we love and allow the parts of them that don't resonate with us to be included too. This type of acceptance requires me to grow up however and it can be challenging to iron out the wrinkles of the differences instead of shut down, avoid, cutoff or argue. Either way, it is a valuable learning experience. When I expand my understanding to include others' wants, needs, philosophies, beliefs, experiences, and opinions, these friends help me accept the full spectrum of humanity. By understanding differences, we can learn about ourselves in contrast. There are times when we see in friends what we don't like about ourselves. While that mirror reflection may be hard to take, a good friend helps us find ways we can accept, work around differences, allow, change, and support keeping the friendship cared for. |
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Joy of friendship is in the feeling that we are accepted just the way we are, with no need to change. It is a gift they give us, and one we can give back every day and throughout the life of the friendship. However, it takes real devotion, work, and commitment to accept friends EXACTLY as they are. When we find those very special people who offer us that perfect combination of comfort and stimulus to grow, we are very fortunate.
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“Don’t make friends who are comfortable to be with. Make friends who will force you to lever yourself up.”
— Thomas J. Watson
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“The most beautiful discovery true friends make is that they can grow separately without growing apart.”
— Elisabeth Foley
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Thank you for being my friend. You may never realize just how much it means to me. Cheers to friends, having them, holding them, knowing them, loving them, and learning from them. A great friendship is irreplaceable — it can inspire you to grow into a better version of yourself. If you have a friend who motivates you, return the favor and be their number one friend today.
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Martha Creek
502-905-0783
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“Find a group of people who challenge and inspire you; spend a lot of time with them, and it will change your life.”
— Amy Poehler
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My March 2021 Special Gift for You! |
And here is my special gift to you this month.
Click on the box to open your gift.
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“Each friend represents a world in us, a world possibly not born until they arrive, and it is only by this meeting that a new world is born.”
— Anais Nin
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“Life is partly what we make it, and partly what it is made by the friends we choose.”
— Tennessee Williams
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Ongoing Class Offerings and Upcoming events for 2021!
I am so excited to share these ongoing online class offerings for 2021 (click on the name of the class for details):
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Universal Christ — January through September 2021 (meets monthly every second Monday on Zoom)
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“They may forget what you said, but they will never forget how you made them feel.”
— Carl W. Buechner
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“For beautiful eyes, look for the good in others; for beautiful lips, speak only words of kindness; and for poise, walk with the knowledge that you are never alone.”
— Audrey Hepburn
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Mentoring Moments with Martha
I am so lucky that I get to hang out with some of the coolest people! Please enjoy the interviews below.
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Mentoring Moments with Martha — Rev. Erin McCabe. Click here to watch the video.
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Mentoring Moments with Martha — Rev. Rhona Segarra. Click here to watch the video.
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“The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched — they must be felt with the heart.”
— Helen Keller
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“Happiness can be found even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light.”
— Dumbledore
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Please consider a donation to continue the teachings of Martha Creek. Many of the classes and workshops are offered by donations only, with suggested donations amounts included in the class or workshop description. We welcome your support. |
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You do not need a Paypal account to make a donation. You can use your debit or credit via PayPal if you don't have a Paypal account. If you choose to send a check, please send it payable to Martha Creek and send it to PO Box 1081, Louisville KY 40201.
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