The Balance Between Closeness and Distance
Intimacy between people requires closeness as well as distance. It is like dancing. Sometimes we are very close, touching each other or holding each other; sometimes we move away from each other and let the space between us become an area where we can freely move.
To keep the right balance between closeness and distance requires hard work, especially since the needs of the partners may be quite different at a given moment. One might desire closeness while the other wants distance. One might want to be held while the other looks for independence. A perfect balance seldom occurs, but the honest and open search for that balance can give birth to a beautiful dance, worthy to behold.
HT: Paul Long
Thanks for posting this, Alex. Even among spouses and parent-child relationships, this quote by Nouwen is true to home.
ReplyDeleteA good quote. :-)
ReplyDeleteI like Henri Nouwen's writings. And I think my church has now gotten used to me mentioning his name! :-)
ReplyDelete