Life is made up of these experiences and unique connections, and our perceptions and thoughts have a lot to do with quality of our memories. Friends can spend an afternoon together and yet come away with different feelings about that time. Each brings his own experiences to each event, and future events can only be viewed in terms of feelings developed in past. Like a bridge, previous one shapes each current moment. Building one on another, they mold into shaping uniqueness of each individual.

We remember special qualities of our family members and our friends – quirkiness, charm, brilliance, and all things that draw us to them. Each, in their own way, has something to contribute to enhance our lives and make them better. We only need to look back and shape our present with positive thoughts from past.

Rosalyn Bronstein, for more than 20 years an author and consultant, has been an advisor to numerous multinational corporations and international organizations. Understanding the value of maintaining relationships, www.ntouchnrat.com was created. It’s a unique and secure way to never lose touch again with the people who have brought meaning to your life without having to use e-mail.

She went and gathered up a bunch of her art supplies and hung out with me until I finished. She even went a step further and ran me a nice hot bath as I was finishing up last touches on site. She hung out with me as I soaked in tub talking with me about everything and nothing. Then she tucked me into bed and turned out lights. She was so proud of me for completely rebuilding site and not screaming and crying or giving up and quitting. That little show of support meant so much to me that I almost cried as I fell asleep.

What a wonderful thing we can learn from her. How many times do we simply let someone struggle alone because we have no idea how to help them? I can't begin to tell you how much it meant to me to have her simple companionship. It was during those hours between 1 and 3 am when I could barely see straight that having her there just to keep me awake meant so much to me. No, she didn't lift a finger. No, she didn't bail me out. No, she didn't fix it. She simply said, "You will not go through this alone. I will be here to cheer you on." Her presence made an ugly exhausting nightmare into a beautiful example of power of love. I felt so good by time I melted into my pillows that I had no anger or resentment over event. She made it all okay just by caring enough to show up.

It's easy to help our loved one's when we know what to do. Roll up your sleeves, dive in, and get to work! But what about those times when we're at a complete loss for words? What about when we don't have tools or resources to help them? What about when their problem or challenge is completely over our head and beyond our area of expertise? What then? Typically, we stumble over some sort of an apology mixed in with excusing ourselves from problem. We wish them well and say a little prayer on their behalf. Next time, consider simply being fully present so they are not completely alone in their struggle. Seems stupid and small, but it's not. It's wonderful and huge.

By way, next morning, software locked up again. I finally invested in an upgrade!

Copyright 2004, Skye Thomas, Tomorrow's Edge