Humans were never meant to be solitary creatures. But progress and innovation have made that fact easy to forget. Now a trip to the store produces food and clothing, shelter is bought not built, as is our means of getting from point a to point b. We no longer need the help of others to meet these needs. It would appear that by earning money, one can live completely independently from others. But the mind cannot survive alone. It will have ideas but then it will also spark doubt. This is where all of us still need to rely on the pack mentality from days gone by.
Great ideas are born by a single mind but how many would actually be brought to life without some form of collaboration? Even if that input is simply words of encouragement. That tiny but important bit of input from another person gives meaning and justification that we simply can’t provide for ourselves. But sadly, striving to be independent has created an inherent distrust of others. Ideas are guarded and protected, not shared and cultivated. Fear of someone stealing our intellectual property is almost as great if not greater than the fear of having actual items stolen. We have created our own no-win situation.
The solution to this quandary is simple. A true friend. A gift that has never held more value or been more difficult to find in our current world of solitude and self-sufficiency. That person who conceals no ulterior motive and has only your best interest at heart. Should you be fortunate enough to win the friendship lottery, be thankful, be appreciative and most importantly, reciprocate the gift. Guard that genuine relationship, invest in it, and treat that trusted person like the treasure that they are. Within that person lies your ability to share ideas, to collaborate and improve any aspect of your life, the strength to douse any flicker of fear or self-doubt that you might suffer and that one person to confide in, when you just can’t seem to find your way. The greatest gift of a true friendship is that it is always greater than just the sum of its parts.