(A bit of freestylin', if you will...) There is an importance of being: in a circle of friends.
Safe and assured.
The importance of being in this circle means that at the moment you feel outside, you will find your friends closing in on you, gathering closely to both shield you and still allow you to breathe just enough to get your fire going.
Whether near or far, you will find that true friends will be wherever you are: in mind or body or spirit...
Their understanding will become one with your understanding, and wherever there are two gathered in a midst ... blessings will surely follow.
There is an importance of being: in your own solitude.
Safe and assured, if not immediately of self than at least you can be safe and assured in knowing that you have some friends that you can quickly call to enfold you in case the solitude becomes too much =)
But to be alone in one's moodiness and thoughts provides perspective, and perspective yields acknowledgment which begets appreciation...
"Oh, the comfort, the inexpressible comfort of feeling safe with a person, having neither to weigh thoughts nor measure words, but pouring them all out, just as they are, chaff and grain together, certain that a faithful hand will take and sift them, keep what is worth keeping, and with a breath of kindness, blow the rest away." -Dinah Craik-
Eustache Deschamps said that, "Friends are relatives you make for yourself." I, for one, am glad to finally have come across someone who feels exactly as I do. Because to me (for reasons you all well know), relatives aren't necessarily people to whom I feel a natural, unquestionable connection. Blood undoubtedly is thicker than water, but consistencies don't equal content, and so I am glad to have people to whom I relate - hence the relative.
And, "It is not so much our friends' help that helps us, as the confidence of their help," Epicurus said. Right-o my good man! Indeed, even when I already know the advice that I seek, there is nothing more assuring than a friend who spurs my convictions and ushers me through a decision.
And to do this across space and time amazes me and strengthens my heart.
"The most beautiful discovery true friends make is that they can grow separately without growing apart." -Elisabeth Foley
I love how we can keep growing and changing and thinking one thing one day only to find it upside down the next - and through it all I can say whatever it is that I say to you, however randomly, repeatedly, sporadically and sub-consciously, and still you remain with me through winters, springs, summers and falls...
I feel blessed. I am exceedingly, forever grateful. I feel loved. I cherish you.
Because of your good friendship, dear ones, I will always maintain the importance of being: me.