We develop all kinds of friends and relationships throughout our lives.

There is the family of origin and there are those, who along the way become a part of a chosen family for us. The ones who become a part of our personal chosen family are sometimes hard to define. Often those parameters fall outside of what one might term ‘friend’, or ‘romantic partner’.  It seems we sometimes over-qualify our relationship status’s trying to identify people into one particular category or another—because if you really stop to think about it—we’re in unique and completely individual relationships with every single person we ever engage with.

This brings me to my point: we have many soul mates. The idea of ‘soul mate’ has really evolved over the last few years for me. I used to believe in the contrived story that my soul had one ‘mate’ out there, and that when (or if) I found him/her, I would finally be complete in every way. But I just kept meeting them! There was never only just one!

I discovered our souls have many ‘mates’, an infinite amount in fact. We just have to open our eyes.

I have one such person in my life I would love to share with you. This man became a personal hero of mine, immediately upon meeting him. That status has only continued to grow over the years I have been lucky enough to have him in my life.

Have you ever had someone in your life who, when thinking about them, it seems your life took a turn for the better after meeting them and you forever now mark your life-line by pinpointing this introduction? A before and an after person?

He’s one of those in my life.

His name is Darren, and he’s easily the most kind-hearted person I have met. He is a curious blend of wisdom, humor, Buddhist monk-dom, introspection, author, comic book enthusiast and martial arts master. More than anything else, he taught me life was supposed to be full of joy; it was supposed to be fun.

Darren is the kind of person who, when he is with you, he actually is with you. His life is an example of what it means to be the change you wish to see in the world. He embodies these things every day, it is a construct of who he is.

These are the lessons that I wish to share with you:

1. We can love one another best, by loving our differences.
2. We can let go of the things that keep hurting us, by simply letting go.
3. We are capable of anything we could possibly imagine, and not only are we capable, we are also responsible to fulfill our capacity.
4. There is a lot of fun to be had, with life’s simplest pleasures. Just look around.
5. No matter how bad it seems, how painful the break down, how devastating the news, how hard it is to deal with it all… you are still, inherently powerful beyond your ability to grasp.
6. Believing in the best in another person, has little to do with their behaviors and it has everything to do with being our best as human beings.
7. If you notice there is help needed, or there is something that ought to be done; you yourself are the one help will arrive through. Step up and into your calling.

My life changed because of this man, I am inspired by these lessons daily. It is my life work to act upon the lessons and the joy that is given to me in these ways, through the people I love and who love me in return. I have been blessed with several people on this scale of life-before-and-then-life-after. I count myself fortunate, and it’s time I start spreading the word. People are incredible gifts. Relationships are uniquely designed for ongoing discovery of ourselves.

What have you learned from the people in your life? What have they learned from you?

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Editor: Renée Picard

Photo: Pixoto user Temmy Sevgi