The Ceremony Of Friendship How do you define ceremony? Webster defines it as: "1. A formal act, or series of acts, prescribed by ritual, protocol or convention. 2. (a) A conventional act of politeness or ettiquette. (b) An action performed only formally with no deep significance (c) a routine action performed with elaborate pomp. 3. (a) prescribed procedure: USAGES (b) observance of an established code of civility or politeness." The rules of society as applied to friendship? That makes the act of friendship a tad sterile - as if there is no thought or caring behind it. Let us broaden Webster's definition of ceremony - let us take the actions of friendship from the formal to the informal. Let us take these "routine actions" and give them meaning - for ourselves and for those we extend the hand of friendship to. What forms of ceremony are there in our everyday acts of friendship? There is the ceremony of listening with more than politeness - of listening from the heart. Of hearing what is being said ... and what is not being said. Of knowing when to offer advice, and when to be quiet and listen. Of offering help before it is asked for ... and knowing that we are the ones that are being Blessed with the opportunity to give the help. Bringing someone a cup of coffee, without being asked. Inviting the new employee to share our coffee/lunch breaks, and taking the time to make them feel welcome and really get to know them. Being the first to chip in to the employee fund for flowers, or even just a card, for a fellow employee that is sick or has suffered a loss in their family. Taking the time to call/visit/e-mail/write a friend that you know is going through a hard time. Encouraging them to share their feelings with you, and listening to them carefully. Sending flowers when there is no occasion ... "just because". Taking someone out to dinner, or a movie, or a ballgame ... or just for a walk, because you know they need to get out. Offering to babysit for someone that you know needs the private time and cannot afford a sitter. These are all acts reflecting the beautiful ceremony of friendship. All we need do is to take the time to think - to act from our hearts so that everything around us reflects who and what we are at our innermost core. Act as a warm ray of sunshine in someone elses life - and you yourself will be Blessed ten-fold. (c)July 2002 Bonnie Cehovet Personal Lifestyle Reading - I offer a Personal Lifestyle Reading using Tarot that looks at past, present and future influences in your life, at the energies that are currently available to help you along your path, and at those energies that are appearing as challanges. My goal is to offer you insight into your decision making process, as well as tools that you can use to both better understand your path and make conscious, choice centered decisions. home Creation Of Ceremony links/articles Graphics by Sam Silverhawk