<\/p>\n
\u201cTrue happiness is of a retired nature, and an enemy to pomp and noise; it arises, in the first place, from the enjoyment of one\u2019s self; and, in the next, from the friendship of a few select companions\u201d (Joseph Addison).<\/p>\n
OUR HAPPINESS NEEDS A LITTLE PRIVACY, BUT IT ALSO NEEDS \u201cTHE FRIENDSHIP OF A FEW SELECT COMPANIONS,\u201d AS ADDISON SAID. The qualities of character that we nurture in private are not meant for our benefit alone; they\u2019re meant to be used and enjoyed within the context of relationships with others. Whatever we are within the privacy of our own hearts, our \u201cself\u201d should touch and influence other human beings in widening circles of contact. And those who occupy the innermost of these circles are our \u201ccompanions.\u201d<\/p>\n
Our word \u201ccompanion\u201d is a colorful word. We get it from the Latin companio<\/em>, which was a compound of two words: com<\/em> (\u201ctogether\u201d) + panis<\/em> (\u201cbread\u201d). So, a companion is someone with whom we \u201cbreak bread,\u201d that is, a close associate or comrade. Looking at it from a slightly different angle, our companions are those who \u201caccompany\u201d us on the road we\u2019re traveling. They\u2019re our \u201ccompany,\u201d as in the delightful question, \u201cWould you like some company?\u201d<\/p>\n Companionableness<\/em>. What are the qualities of a good companion? Well, as we suggested in yesterday\u2019s reading, one of them is a respect for our privacy. Good companions enjoy our company, but they also honor our solitude. But there are other traits as well, and almost all of them are virtues of character: sympathy, understanding, a sense of humor, kindness, enjoyment of life, curiosity, and many more.<\/p>\n Companionship<\/em>. Companionable qualities may be delightful, but they\u2019re not much good if we don\u2019t activate them. What we need more of in the world is not merely companionableness as a personality trait; we need more actual companionship in the living of our daily lives. We need \u2014 all of us do \u2014 to engage actively in the conduct of companionship. It takes work and it\u2019s not always convenient, but its value is worth more than diamonds and rubies.<\/p>\n Whoever you are, there are those who need you to \u201caccompany\u201d them in some way. They need your companionship. And, in truth, you need theirs. It\u2019s a fact: human beings are social creatures, and we need a few good folks with whom we can \u201cbreak bread.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGood company and good discourse are the very sinews of virtue\u201d (Izaak Walton).<\/p>\n Gary Henry \u2013 WordPoints.com + AreYouaChristian.com<\/p>\n