Treena,    It occurs to me, as cheryl said, often people have fear of change and fear of growing, but often times too, after they watch you for awhile, and you show true heart of unconditional brotherly love, even though you must walk on in your own growing, that "some" end up seeing something in you and turning at some point to question this newness in you, and sometimes some are inspired and choose to follow.  With friends we often have to not play offensive as much as we might a stranger in business...but by just remaining good hearted sometimes some will see the good changes in you and eventually want to know rather than try to pull you back.   People sometimes need time...and for those who choose to not want to grow or accept newness in you, well, they still may even years from now, but if they never do, you still must follow your own paths and growing....we belive in growing don't we?  I am sure God does too and desires to grow us.

                                                                      love kim

Hi Treena,

Just wanted to drop by again & say thanks for opening up this conversation.  The comments & thoughts of our friends like Kim & Pauline give valuable insight to the topic at hand.  It's always stimulating to me to get input from such people.  I love it, & just want to encourage you to keep your eyes ahead of you as you travel the path before you. 

I know that when I look back too much, this keeps me focused on what was & it's hard to make room for the potential that is occuring right before me. 

 Sometimes the Lord won't give us fresh new relationships & experiences when we are holding on tightly to the past.  Sometimes I know I've held on to someone who was never meant to be permanent in my life.  Then, when I finally let go, it's been a very freeing thing.  Some people we aren't supposed to let go of, yet our struggle to hold on to everyone will hinder our growth.  At least this is what I've seen in my own life.

I believe that everyone is in our lives for a reason, & a season.  Some are meant to be life long relationships & some are not.  I know with me, I have a hard time letting go of people from my past...yet, there have been a few times that I did & it turned out to be much better for me (& probably them too).

Take care Treena & enjoy the journey that you are on.  This too, is difficult to do though easy to say.  It's what' called "enjoying the moment & enjoying the discoveries." 

Cheryl :-)

What we are becoming

Thanks to all who have responded to my forum,it means a lot to me ,as it is making it easier to overcome the obstacles that come along with growing and trying to develope yourself to the fullest potential.While it is fun and motivating to take the journey i have chosen to take,it does become difficult at times,just because of the necesary choices that one must make to stay focused on your vision.Now whenever i am in an akward situation or disagreement with my friends , i walk away and remember the words of wisdom given to me in my forum!Thanks so much everyone!

treena

Treena, there are many things I could say here but I believe what is written here will help you.  I fought a similar battle and felt the desire to write this.  I hope it will help you in your endeavours to know the importance of friendships:

http://www.sagariexpressions.com/egoism.html

Please let me know what you think.

Blessings my friend,

Sara

I loved the article Sara! It does appear so much anymore that individualism is being sifted out and replaced with political correcteness; ofcourse that's an old word but I see it still very alive...it's almost like there's no more individual identity anymore, and people are propelled more by being accepted by the status quo than by standing in place for any virtues that were once the life blood of this Nation but today have no meaning or power in the face of the new spirit which is to be anything it takes to succeed, and approval is a biggy today.

Since you all brought the subject up, I will "dare" to share this, which is not an attack on any of the good people or goodness I know exists...
I read this recently from historical great preacher Charles Finney:

that..."public sentiment is like a god that many people serve and worship..."

People who make the praise of men their idol do what the apostle Paul says certain persons did in his day. For that reason they remained ignorant of true doctrine: they "Measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves are not wise" (2 Corinthians 10:12)

It's a tough word, and I'm sure I'va fallen within it myself.  This day seems to be one that tests us greatly for who we really serve, whether it's ourself or God or the praise and acceptance of man. If a man took this word with spite and anger, where could than anger come from except from a spirit that stands for these sentiments?

This idea and spirit opposes not only man being who he truly is as measured by God but also reduces his uniqueness and the original qualities the spirit of God created in us all, and also predisposes us to the coming One World Order, if I may go that far and not be offensive!

Cheryl you got me again!  Another great thought...about trying to hold on to things and people God may be trying to pull us away from.  I had a specific experience here once where God almost literally "pulled" me away from someone, and I too felt just as you described once I allowed this separation to happen....delivered or a sense of liberation!

I know today that that particular person was "Not" going to have any good influence as far as leading me or "allowing" me to follow God's intended interior and exterior path in life!  I have "learned" to trust God above often my own emotions and feelings.

I've said enough today...."The Truth sets you Free"...it's Liberating.  Kim