I awoke even sicker today. And then I got a troubling email from my girlfriend back home–double whammy. My energy was way low. I lost my appetite.
I composed myself. I went to the pharmacist and got medicine to beat the virus. I called my girlfriend, and we worked things out.
Long distance relationships present problems. How do you maintain that “connection” while apart for a long period of time? And for us, it was even harder because we had just gotten back together after a long hiatus.
We had already planned to meet in Indonesia for a month this summer. We knew it would be a fun way to meet up in person during my trip. It would be a great bonding experience, too.
But that was in the future. She felt alone now. And email and Skype weren’t doing it for her. Email has its limitations, and it is difficult to arrange Skype time on such different time zones.
On the other hand, I did feel connected with our emailing and Skyping. However, I was open to finding a solution that would work for both of us. And maybe that solution would create a stronger connection.
I considered coming back in July and canceling the Indonesia part. We could do that trip another time. But she reminded me that I wanted to do a long-term trip through Asia–because the great length of the trip makes it worthwhile. I’m out here; I’m doing what I wanted to do; so, keep doing it. I agreed.
She had two suggestions. She suggested that we make time each day for each other, if only 5-10 minutes. In that time, we would relax and concentrate on each other and just appreciate each other’s existence. We’d focus on the good in the other person. She also suggested that we read the same book on the same week and discuss our ideas about it. For example, we’re both reading right now: The Mastery of Love.
I agreed to both suggestions. I’m sure that concentrating on each other at the same time every day, and having meaty, spiritual discussions will bridge the physical chasm that is between us. This clarification on communication
will make us even more committed.
I got my appetite back at night. I walked around eating a little bit of this and that. I felt better. I knew the worst was behind me now. It’s always darkest before the dawn.