Doug Waltman

Threads

A friend once explained it to me like this: our relationships are thread-like connections. Each person we interact with in our lives forms one or many connections. Some may be significant (philosophy, religion, politics, career choice, residence) or fleeting (proximity, favorite food or movie, etc). Our friends will usually weave several threads together with us. On rare occasion, our very best friends will weave so many together that you couldn’t fathom becoming untangled from them. And no single person is threaded entirely to another. These connections have no room for jealousy and selfishness.

Threads are connected and sadly, disconnected over time. Perhaps a friend moves away, a coworker gets a better job elsewhere, or we look within and decide to change ourselves. Whether snapped, cut, or replaced, the pain of a lost thread will tug at our core. Conversely, when new threads are spun they glisten, vibrant with possibility and excitement.

Realize that the fabric of who we are can only be spun at fixed length. We are made from the finest linen, limited only by our thread count. So thread carefully, friends. Loose those that cause pain and spin threads that cause joy.

And instead of saying all of your goodbyes, let them know
You realize that life goes fast
It’s hard to make the good things last
You realize the sun doesn’t go down
It’s just an illusion caused by the world spinning round

—The Flaming Lips