By Perfect Pond

I had a busy day and needed to get up early the next morning to catch a flight, but I didn’t want to pass up the invitation to spend some time at a friend’s pond. I knew I’d enjoy catching up with everyone, and there’s something about a campfire, fresh air, and freshly grilled food.

I’d struggled a bit recently. Nothing huge, but there was just a bit of unsettled cloudiness around me. It was easier to disengage, to focus on my own stuff, to hunker down and avoid connections. But I know better.

As I drove to the pond, I began to breathe a bit easier. I arrived just in time to eat some delicious food. About a dozen of us sat at a couple picnic tables and shared recent trips, funny stories, and memories. I played with an adorable chocolate lab pup and helped clean up the area before heading home.

It was a full day before an early morning, but that time outside by the pond with friends was exactly what I needed. I didn’t get as much sleep as I probably should have before travelling, but the sacrifice was worth it. I texted my friend to tell her how much I appreciated the invitation.

Sometimes we need to do the thing that might seem to stretch us a bit and go against what we’d be more comfortable doing. But if we disengage with people, we don’t have the checks and balances, the accountability and kindness, the sacrifice and reality check that we need.