Today was about making new friends. Even though I’ve lived in my new hometown of Prescott, AZ for about eight months now, due to working full-time remotely at home and COVID restrictions and closures, I have been very isolated. It’s like I really could have been living anywhere in the world!

But starting with spring’s rebirth, I am now socializing in person and spending time out in the world, out in my new hometown. I am tickled pink! My desire, and actual need, is to have close, local friendships and feel that I truly am part of the community.

Knowing I would be attending a gathering this morning, my prayer this day included affirming that everyone at the gathering would receive what they needed, including moi, which included meeting new people, leading to making new friends.

I attended a women’s group at Unity of Prescott, even though I am currently a member of Center for Spiritual Living–Prescott; the group welcomes all who adhere to a similar outlook on life and Spirit. I’ve been involved in both the Unity and the Science of Mind New Thought philosophies for many moons and they are quite similar, so I was thrilled to be able to participate.

The group’s facilitator put a lot of thought into the activities of the meeting, the first in-person one in two years, all focused on getting to know one another; she did a fabulous job! I seemed to have something in common with each individual woman I met, and there was surely no lack of conversation throughout the entire morning. I know that I felt like I’d been let out of prison—others felt the same way!

Several of us continued getting acquainted after the meeting by breaking bread at lunchtime; we were all thirsting for friendship and connection.

Not only did I meet a number of interesting women, but by going out for lunch, I got to try a new restaurant. We also strolled over to the art gallery where the work of one of the women is being shown. We started a conversation with a couple visiting from Australia who’d been admiring Sandy’s artwork, and that further enriched the day. And, we visited The Palace, the oldest frontier saloon in Arizona dating back to the 1870s.

My new companions and I exchanged contact information and expect to get together outside of the women group activities.

I know that my morning prayer was answered—in spades! I met a bunch of local women, had fun, visited some new hometown locales, and ensured I had contact information so that I could move these blossoming friendships forward. With each such experience, I feel less alone and isolated.

I thought I’d share some quotes about making new friends:

“Strangers are just friends waiting to happen.” – Rod McKuen

“You can’t stay in your corner of the Forest waiting for others to come to you. You have to go to them sometimes.” – A. Milne, Winnie-the-Pooh

“We don’t meet people by accident. They are meant to cross our path for a reason.” – Unknown

“Friendship has always belonged to the core of my spiritual journey.” – Henri Nouwen

Dear Spirit– Thank You for a blessed day filled with new friends and community to nourish my soul and feel closer to You. Thank You for answered prayer. Good night.