Becoming more fully human through relationships

Archbishop Desmond Tutu once said "A self-sufficient human being is sub human. God has made us for a delicate network of interdependence." ~Desmond Tutu

It is difficult to describe how much relationships have meant to our family over the last two months. We have been so richly and deeply blessed by the love and support of friends, family and even strangers.

Our lives are fuller because of the love and care of others.

The subject of my PhD (a lifetime ago!) was consciousness and identity. In the concluding chapters of that volume of research I developed a model of identity and 'human-ness' based on the African philosophy of Ubuntu. 'A person is a person through other people'. This concept of intersubjective growth is an essential part of what it means to grow and develop in community.

This weekend I spent three days with the 7 men that make up my forum group (the photo above shows four of the guys on the rocks at Hermanus where we had a closing communion service today). These guys journey together at a very deep and trusting level. We share everything about our lives, our struggles, our joys, and the challenges and opportunities that lie before us. We are committed to honesty, authenticity, and care. We have each other and our families at heart.

I have come to realise anew that life gets so busy, relationships become so superficial, and we end up living past one another, and as a result we live 'past' our true selves.

You can read more about forums at http://www.forumnetwork.co.za

Who do you rely on for companionship in life's journey? Is that circle of significant relationships wide enough to support you to be your best, and to become more fully human? I believe we all need a few deep and significant relationships to help us in this regard.

Have a blessed week!