Like water for love.
There is one thing that I learned early on in my life, simplified by something I told myself when I left school at age 16: You can't learn how to bake a cake when you're trying to learn how to ride a horse. In this I mean there are certain experiences in life that we learn certain things. There are many crossovers, but in the end our learning processes that we have developed as sentient beings determine what we learn, when and how.
A while back, I heard a story about an anthropologist who was living with the Hopi tribe down in the Four Corners (excuse me if my information is a bit off, I was on my third Manhattan). He spent months studying their traditions, rituals and their basic way of living. When he was getting ready to leave he said to the chief, "Your way of life is fascinating, but I find it odd that most of your songs are about rain and water." The chief thought for a moment then said, "Water is what we need to survive, without it we would perish. I find it more odd that all of your people's songs are about love. Are you without it?"
I guess you're wondering where I'm going with this. Well, I have recently been contemplating my past relationships and writing about the key things I've learned from them. It seems that the most important thing I have learned is the importance of separating wants from needs. In the end we as humans have a desire to quench our desire for both, but I find when we give them both equal attention early on, we tend to miss the mark. I for one have found that I spent too much time focusing on my wants and not the needs of a relationship. Without your needs met, there is no foundation to work on your wants. For example: try working through two days of your life without water. Technically we can live three days without it, but I can only imagine that you won't get very much done. Now don't get me wrong, I do believe for a lasting relationship we need both wants and needs met, but I also believe needs must come first, in life and love.
It's 2009. A new year. I'm guessing most people reading this letter have access to enough water to drown in. Aren't we fortunate that now all we have to focus on is drowning ourselves and others in love?
Have fun,
Joshua Scott Onysko Founder & CEO Pangea Organics