Set them free

07/04/1989, Jakarta, Indonesia

Today my daughter came home with her close friend.  Her friend was visibly shaken and emotional.  They both came to me and my daughter asked me if I could talk with her friend and help her feel better.

Her friend's story like most teenagers was about her boyfriend's lack of sensitivity and attention to her, and their possible separation.  I told her that:

• You can not expect him to think and to behave exactly like you
• You must realize that you do not possess him and like wise no one can possess you
• The beauty of a relationship is to be able to love and care for each other as if there is no keeping or controlling
• Jealousy and negativity do not help a relationship

They were both listening with deep interest and were seemingly much more relaxed.  I then read them a paragraph from a book that I was reading and it was so close to my heart.  The book was "ONE" written by one of my favorite writers Richard Bach.

"When you love someone, when you know they're ready to learn and grow, you set them free.  How could you learn, how could you feel your experiences if you knew I was there, a shield between you and your choices".