I traveled to one of my favorite cities with one of my favorite friends. I have plenty of stories to share, and I will, but today is to remind you to do life well with others.
After her first day at a conference, when I’d explored on my own, we enjoyed meandering to find a place to eat. We wanted good food but also good ambiance, and we found it at a street café. Our server was fantastic, and the food was delicious. The company was the best. I don’t remember much of what we talked about. We sat together and enjoyed the moment. Then we walked and continued to talk as we noticed beautiful architecture, local people in their daily routines, and unique stores we hadn’t noticed before. We found a nearby bagel shop we’d visit the next morning. We dangerously decided to enter a quaint bakery “just to look.” Yes, we ended up eating late-night doughnuts, then wondered why we had trouble going to sleep.
As we walked to the bagel shop the next morning, we fell in step with school kids on their daily walks to school and groups of workers ready to start their day. My friend still had a fairly full day at the conference, but we met mid-afternoon at a beautiful park and sat for over an hour, enjoying the sunshine, cool breeze, and watching people.
We travel well together—although it certainly wasn’t a completely smooth, challenge-free trip. It’s interesting how stress can lighten depending on the people journeying with you. We’ve ventured overseas. But most of our time has been local. We’ve celebrated amazing milestones together and shared burdens through chaotic life storms. But we’ve done it together.
Each of us have other close friends. We do life with many. There’s something about doing life well with others that keeps us aligned. Authenticity matters. Accountability matters. Truth matters. Listening matters. Patience matters. Perseverance matters. Faithfulness matters. Vulnerability matters. All of it—and more—blends together as we do life well with others.
Ironically, the thing that gets in the way of doing life well together the most is…life. There are seasons in which it’s difficult to find the time. It’s scary to take the risk. It’s devastating to feel the betrayal, rejection, or disinterest. But it’s worth it.
At the end of the trip, my feet were sore, and my body was tired. But my mind was refreshed, and my soul was filled.
People are important. Do life well—together.
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