RE-CONNECTING

RE-CONNECTING.

Dear Readers:

We are immersed in the ethos (and occasionally pathos) of networking, and in the building of relationships. The philosophical objective is to build our Relationship Capital Quotients (as would be said by my noble colleague and friend, Adam J. Kovitz), so that those around us would perceive us to be more valuable as Human assets, and to desire to work with us; to choose us. I believe that this is true.

I also believe that our ultimate goal, in terms of creating a Millenium of peace, international prosperity and reciprocal Humanitarianism, where we, as a species, can sociologically evolve, requires that we go one step further: we must strive toward 1) converting relationships into personal friendships, replete with compassion and a sense of soul-to-soul communion, and 2) maintining and fostering those friendships which have already graced our lives to the greatest extent possible.

Opening new doors is a primary function of our networking efforts -- but keeping old doors of love and friendship open is a sacred Human obligation, with many, many rewards.

My childhood and university friends are scattered throughout the country, and I have neglected to keep in contact with these people...people who have watched me grow, have borne witness to some of the most transformative (and embarrassing!) chapters of my life. Their feedback, through shared memories, hysterical stories and updates about the life passages of other acquaintances gives me more than just a wistful feeling of nostalgia - it reminds me of who I truly am, and gives me time-transcendant, broader perspective of myself. And I firmly believe that deep self-knowledge is essential to success.

Cliches abound - "Know thyself," "To thine own self be true," "The truth shall set you free." These cliches exist because thaey each contain a priceless element of truth.

Old friends present new wealth...buried treasure...fresh opportunities.

Until last evening I had kept my heart and my head buried in my consultancy activities (The Castle Consultancy, at http://aboutDouglasCastle.blogspot.com), my work for THE NATIONAL NETWORKER, at http://www.thenationalnetworker.com, my work for LINKS 4 LIFE, at http://Lifelinksiep.blogspot.com and Internal Energy Plus, at http://www/InternalEnergyPlus.com, all to the neglect of my friends.

After last evening's dinner reunion, I realized how much I had missed my beloved best friends. We lose our pasts, many opportunities and ourselves, when we neglect old treasured old relationships.

Old relationships open old doors, but amazing new ones, as well.

My heartfelt thanks to Jay and Stu, and for those people in my life who have chosen (for better or for worse) to call me friend. You are irreplaceable and precious beyond measure. You have helped to restore to me the gift of myself. Nobody else has the ability to do this.

Faithfully, and with renewed love and commitment,

Douglas

p.s. You guys can call me "Doug" anytime.

THE NATIONAL NETWORKER (TNNW):
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