June 25, 2023 | Issue #74

1 Quote. 1 Reflection. 1 Question.

1 Quote.

“How miserably things seem to be arranged in this world. If we have no friends, we have no pleasure; and if we have them, we are sure to lose them, and be doubly pained by the loss.”

 -From: Abraham Lincoln 

-Source: Letter to Joshua F. Speed, February 25, 1862

1 Reflection.

People come and go is the saying. It is a reality we must all face. It's hard to predict if people will be in our lives for 2 years or 2 decades. This creates situations where we will have to say bye to people—friends, partners, co-workers, managers, classmates, etc.

It is never easy to say goodbye to people who we care about but sometimes we don't have a choice. We switch jobs, break up, move to different cities, and so on. 

Living abroad for 3 and a half years now I have said goodbye to many people who I may never see again. It is never easy for me, but I think I handle it well because I leave nothing on the table. I wear my heart on my sleeve and try my best to give people my authentic self. I try to be a genuine friend even if I know that person and I will part ways a few months later.

I have left a lot of friendships feeling zero regret and it is a very peaceful feeling. I feel like I am closing another chapter in my life as I begin to write the next one. 

Do I leave these people and make it a rule to never speak to them again? No not at all. There are people who I met in South Korea 2 years ago, who I still Facetime from time to time. However, our relationships are not the same and that is inevitable. 

The point is, goodbyes happen, and they suck. But, we have the power to choose how sucky they are based on how much we pour into them while we have them, and remember that goodbyes are just a natural part of life. 

1 Question.

How can you invest more in your relationships this week?