Sunday, May 17, 2009

John O'Donohue Irish Philosopher on Anam Cara.

This is a short excerpt from the Book: Anam Cara: A Book Of Celtic Wisdom; Chapter 1: The Mystery of Friendship.

Irish Philosopher John O'Donohue quotes Aristotle on friendship: "Our feeling toward our friends reflects our feelings toward ourselves." He (Aristotle) goes on to acknowledge the patience required to develop real friendship: "The wish for Friendship develops rapidly, but friendship does not." Friendship is the grace that warms and sweetens our lives: "Nobody would choose to live without friends even if he had all other good things."

My observations: Friendships come and go with the changing of jobs and the movings about we do in this world. That is a part of life. You remember past friends, and at chance reunions catching up and saying hi make the time since the last reunion seem inconsequential.

But friends that we make as we ride and meet at a Scenic Overlook on the Blue Ridge Parkway for a 5 minute exchange about our Harley's, the weather and home towns, are what make this Brotherhood of the Ride so fulfilling. You say "See you around" as you pull out knowing you probably won't, but you know the next chance encounter and conversation is merely a continuation of the last, in a long network of such encounters in this thing we enjoy called "The Ride."

Anam Cara: "Soul Friend." O'Donohue (1956-2008) must've been at heart at least, a Harley Rider too!

Do I have to say it? Hell Yea:

Screw It! Let's Ride!





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