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You are here: Home / Archives for friendship

Do You Want To Be Happy?

April 5, 2012 By Jillian

Three years ago we struck out to make our own happiness – we decided that the trajectory we were on was not going to give us that deep sense of satisfaction. We made a conscious effort to live our life the only way we knew how- to the fullest and to keep close to us the things that matter most the people and relationships that inspire us and make us want to be better people. Since that decision, we’ve lived a purposeful life and made decisions that made us happy instead of decisions that fulfilled another person’s expectation.

Two nights ago I felt joy and happiness more than I have in a long, long time. My heart was full and I felt like the purposeful life we’ve tried to lead had come truly full circle. Let me explain.

I arrived home in a frustrated mood. Going out for the mail, I was intrigued when I saw a letter from Austria. Ripping it open it was a lovely note of friendship from a couchsurfing friend. Although we had wished her well on Facebook at the news of her baby’s arrival in November, she sent us a translated baby announcement and a personal note. In January we sent her a change of address note and an invitation to visit us. Our decision to reach out and let her know we were thinking of her resulted in an opportunity to share in her happiness.

Opening the front door, I was shocked to find a package against the wall. Friends from Israel, who spent a few weeks with us in January, sent us a package for Passover.  Again, another friendship that we have consciously worked on building and strengthening.   A complete surprise and a gesture that filled my heart with happiness.

Moments later I rejoiced at the news that a good friend of mine had her first baby. By rejoiced, I mean cried like a baby tears of unadulterated joy. She is good friend who it would have been easy to drift away from over the years. She is a person that I have made a priority in my life, whose friendship I have consciously worked not only to maintain but to cultivate because I believe SHE is worth it.

And that night we went out to dinner with friends to celebrate their long awaited engagement.  It was a moment worth waiting for and seeing the happiness on their faces reminded me that I am lucky to have such people in my life.

My heart was full of joy that evening and not as a result of anything happening directly to me.  It was all a result of living a purposeful life, putting others as a priority and consciously building relationships.  You choose who you want to share your life with so choose wisely and consciously make those people a part of your life.  Relationships take work, but choosing to make those relationships better and support friends in need and make friends a priority will come back two-fold.

“The happiness you give to others comes back to you!

For happiness moves in a circle.

That happiness that goes out of you travels back to you!”

Filed Under: Headline, Travel Reflections Tagged With: friendship, happiness, joy

Always Accept Alcohol…from Iranians

September 22, 2010 By Danny

Everyone knows never to get involved in a land war in Asia, but only slight less well known is this: never deny the offer of a beer from an Iranian when friendship is on the line!

Iran, more than any other country these days, fills the headlines as America’s number one threat. We are Americans and that should mean that Iran is our enemy. This is the country whose most recent news headline have revolved around such punishments as stoning and lashing. As we travel through the Soviet states our parents grew up with, it is easy to think of Iran as today’s threatening menace. Many of us don’t know what goes on inside, and are left wondering….and worrying.

Taking a day trip out from the Armenian capital of Yerevan we were on a bus heading to some ruins when another tourist asked us first if we spoke English and then confirmed we were all going to the same place. She, an Iranian English professor, was on holiday with another female friend who was an architect. Neither lady wore a headscarf. A man made up the trio, he was a dentist but didn’t speak much English.

The first of the sites we went to, the Garni temple, was a bit underwhelming and probably wasn’t worth the trip out from the city for us. It consisted of a single Hellenic temple and a few scattered ruins of the old baths. We toured site together, and then shared a taxi from the Garni Temple to the Geghard Monastery further up the road. (Much nicer than the Garni temple, best Monastery yet) As we were sitting and waiting for our final bus back to town, a cup was suddenly placed into my hand by the dentist. Next I knew, it was filled with beer. We had hardly said two words to one another, his English not being too much better than my Farsi, but it was a hot day and he aimed to quench my thirst and his own…not something he was permitted to do within his own country. I asked how to say thank you in Farsi and was disappointed to find out that the Iranians, like the Armenians, simply use the French ‘merci’ because it is easier. They saw my disappointment and proudly shared that the word ‘Bazaar’ is of Persian origin. As we sat on that bus riding back to town, passing a beer around the back and sharing some chips and popcorn, one thing was absolutely clear: These three people were no more capable of terrorism than me.

IMGP7034It was the start of this encounter though that I will remember the best. As we walked together down the street, we found ourselves exchanging the usual pleasantries. They said they were from Iran and upon hearing that I’m sure our eyes were as wide as theirs were when we answered with our home country. We told them how much we had wanted to visit Iran but that the visa process was simply too difficult and costly for us and that those few people we’ve known who have actually gone there had only good things to say…especially about the people. They blushed and thanked us for the kind words and said that everyone really is all the same and wants the same things. We agreed and we all expressed hope and expectations that the current divisions between our countries would not be long lasting. After a mere two minutes of conversation, they offered to personally sponsor a visa for us if we thought it would be helpful. (Don’t worry mom, we denied…but only because it wouldn’t have helped 🙂 )

With the rest of our time in Yerevan we visited the National History Museum as well as the Museum and Monument to the Armenian Genocide. With the help/force/urging/etc of the best Couchsurfing hosts in Yerevan we ate gobs of traditional food and loved every minute of it.

IF YOU GO: There are several day trips around Yerevan. We took public transportation to Garni Temple and from there shared a taxi to Gerhard Monastery. Guidebook times were way off, Yerevan to Garni took nearly an hour on the bus not 25 minutes. Taxi’s in Yerevan were relatively inexpensive, but the entire center is easily covered on foot. Don’t miss Botero’s fat soldier in the park between the Opera and Cascade. The season hadn’t opened yet for the symphony or opera while we were there, but tickets are extremely inexpensive and I would recommend checking them out if you’re interested in a night of culture.

Filed Under: Armenia, Asia & Oceania, Headline, Middle East Tagged With: friendship, ruins

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