Relationships

Whom are you letting on your ‘relation’ ship? If we were to use the ship as an analogy for our human existence, the ocean is life as we experience it. I want to ask you, who are you letting journey through life with you?

Ships are built to withstand the weather, the seasons, and the ocean’s rhythms. Sometimes calm and sometimes wild, just like life. Life has a way of being joyful, unpredictable and harsh, at times totally out of our hands and control, leaving us with no choice but to ride it out if we are going to stay afloat. Regardless of the condition of the weather above or the water beneath, our job is to keep the elements on the outside and not on the inside of the ship.

What if the close company we kept also made a difference in the kind of voyage we would have. The question I present to you dear reader, as the captain of your ship, who are you letting sail these waters with you? I am not referring to those we rub shoulders with as we get on with our day to day but rather those we let in our inner circle. The ones with whom we share the deepest parts of who we are.

My encouragement is to know your crew because life is better together! As everyone is different, and there isn’t a one size fits all answer, but a few questions that you can ask yourself:
1) Where am I heading in life? What are my goals? Know the vision and purpose for your life.
2) Are those in my inner circle supporting me in heading in that direction or pulling me in the opposite direction?
3) As the saying goes, “loose lips sink ships.” Are those in my inner circle trustworthy with the information I share?
4) Is there genuine care that exists in the relationship? It’s not about being perfect but instead leaning in and being present.
5) Am I the kind of person I want to have in my inner circle? Live by example!