I was reading in Kahlil Gibran's book "The Prophet" and it had the best description of a healthy marriage. I think it can apply to any partnership.

"You were born together, and together you shall be for evermore.... But let there be spaces in your togetherness. And let the winds of the heavens dance between you.
... And stand together yet not too near together: For the pillars of the temple stand apart, And the oak tree and the cypress grow not in each other's shadow. "

I love that visual of the pillars. If you have an archway, and one side leans too much on the other, the whole structure will collapse. Both have to be strong and independent to work.

I've never had that - have tried, but not been successful. But I keep the faith :)

And a woman spoke, saying, "Tell us of Pain."

And he said:

Your pain is the breaking of the shell that encloses your understanding.

Even as the stone of the fruit must break, that its heart may stand in the sun, so must you know pain.

And could you keep your heart in wonder at the daily miracles of your life, your pain would not seem less wondrous than your joy;

And you would accept the seasons of your heart, even as you have always accepted the seasons that pass over your fields.

And you would watch with serenity through the winters of your grief.

Much of your pain is self-chosen.

It is the bitter potion by which the physician within you heals your sick self.

Therefore trust the physician, and drink his remedy in silence and tranquillity:

For his hand, though heavy and hard, is guided by the tender hand of the Unseen,

And the cup he brings, though it burn your lips, has been fashioned of the clay which the Potter has moistened with His own sacred tears.

I have to say, I loved Kahlil Gibran. Havent read it, I'll admit, since my husband died (it was his fav book, the Prophet), but if you are looking for less sappy, theo, read something other than the love section. The children section was always my husband's favorite, but the Prophet has many many many different subjects to peruse...

Just a thought but if any of us knew that we wouldn't be here.

ROFL! That's true!

Theophrastus wrote:
I find that an absence of Kahlil Gibran makes for a good relationship :-D


Awww! The Prophet is a lovely book, and I don't believe it's in the self-help section :) More philosophical or spiritual.

I know what ya mean about the titles, though. Usually the best bits are on the cover, anyway :)

That's a nice visual for a relationship. I think it can work as far as friendships are concerned as well.
Now....I just have to find the other half of my arch.

Well I think that a bowl of muesli in the morning before work and then regular exercise would ensure that both people in the relationship would remain healthy.

I'll get my coat.........

Those words are very nice and profound. I think they mean that in a relationship the two people should support eachother, care for eachother, and love eachother without being domineering. The two trees might grow in different directions and not follow the same route but there is the foundation, the roots, the love to bind them togeather and make them strong