Life only makes sense in the context of relationships. That is the conclusion I have come to after many years of questioning and searching.

When relationships are going well there can be no greater sense of joy and fulfilment. On the other hand, when relationships are going badly there can be no more painful frustration or headache. That’s certainly been my experience.

In case you’re wondering the picture is of me around early 1968 with the friends from the street where we lived at the time in Allahabad, India. I am the one on the lower step at the front. We have no idea of what lies in store for each of us in the future!

On this podcast as we learn to dance with wisdom we explore the question of relating:

“How do I relate to others – my family, my friends, my work colleagues, those who come into my social orbit and the wider global village? Where do I find the healthy balance between sober seriousness and the fun in life?” (p.160)

Do join my co-host Elliott Frisby and myself as we unpack this further and discuss:

• An apocryphal story of a wise man travelling between two cities that reveals how much our relationships reflect more about ourselves than we care to admit.
  
• Creating the time and capacity for those relationships that matter to me.
  
• The difference between transactional relationships and intentional (what may be called covenantal) friendships.
  
• The importance of safe people.
  
• The difference between wise, foolish and even evil people.
  
• The importance of forgiveness.
  

In case you’re wondering the picture is of me around early 1968 with the friends from the street where we lived at the time in Allahabad, India. In case you’re wondering the boy in the picture sitting at the front is me around early 1968. We have no idea of what lies in store for each of us in the future!

The link to the podcast is below.

You can also watch the conversation on video here

What questions, thoughts and ideas does this conversation bring up for you? Feel free to share your thoughts and comments!