Relationship with people is like a rubber ball and a wall.

When we throw a ball at a wall, the harder we do it the harder it returns and the softer the throw the softer the return. Our relationship with people is just like such a rubber ball thrown against a wall. We care for someone more and the person cares for us even more. We do not care for a person and most probably the person does not care for us.

However, if you do not take the initiative to throw the ball, will there be any return. Certainly not! Therefore, for any relationship to start, someone has to pick up the ball and start It. Give a big happy smile and you can be assured a smile will return. However, one should not do it half-heartedly, the ball may not have the force to return; it merely rolls to a stop some distance away.

If the ball returns, then next is the enthusiasm thrown out. Enthusiasm is very infectious. The response is usually fantastic. With that both parties have built a bridge to communication. You will be surprised how communication can pave the way to understanding and friendship.

Of course, the initiative is important. Without that initiative, there can be no beginning. There will always be a river in between putting each party on different banks of the river, seeing each other but not interacting, not coming any closer.

Even in a relationship, a misunderstanding can happen. A river comes in between. In this kind of situation, can a bridge be rebuilt when no one is willing to throw out a soft and tender ball to the other person so that she may have the opportunity to return the ball? Certainly, there are times when the other person does not bother to pick it up. Perhaps, the relationship is beyond repair.

Well, having said all that, we ought to realise that not all walls are even. And if the ball hits an uneven surface, it bounces off at an angle, never to return to its original thrower. Well, that is what life is all about. That is the uncertainty which besides bringing loads of joy, makes life painful at times but it awakens us to so many possibilities. When such pain or frustration comes it takes us to strange, unknown places that we, in our complacency, normally do not go; but are now more willing to venture along and discover things otherwise unknown to us, learning and experiencing new knowledge and accomplishments.

So happiness comes and then it goes away but then, as I have learned through knowledge in The Art of Living; without sadness, how can we appreciate happiness? Without darkness, how can we enjoy the light? And just as surely as the sun will return after each night, happiness will come again. It is inevitable.

And walls are never totally even. If we can accept that, then we can accept that uncertainty awaits us each day. What we can do is to accept the uncertainty, live life for whatever it dishes out to us, enjoy whatever there is to enjoy now for we know not what the future has in store for us. Whatever it is, let it be.

If you can find happiness and satisfaction in the things you do, do it well and I believe everything else will just flow smoothly alongside. If you see something beautiful, take the initiative, act immediately and throw your ball happily and with enthusiasm. Certainly, you gain more from it then sitting back and doing nothing, merely wishing and hoping things can happen. Do you agree with me?