Reunions with old friends can be tricky. Depending on how long it’s been since you’ve seen each other in person, mixed with any level of usage with social media, surprises are inevitable.

If you’ve recognized that you were once in a place where inner work wasn’t done, and that you’ve since committed to doing it, people will feel it from you and choose whether you’re a teacher, an ally, or a threat.

The longer and/or more intimately someone’s known you, the better their chances of feeling that. It’s better than you making some vain effort to shout “I’M HEALING!” Your character will say that louder than your lungs.

And if the absence in-between you and them is due to things that could have been managed around life in general ([post-]pandemic considered), ask yourself if the reunion provided grounds for the link(s) to revive, or stay as they are.

That can be as simple as to come when asked for if you can/want to, while not calling them when you think their company is needed for the things you built without them. They were building in your absence as well. Working towards destined paths can be like that.

Honor the new life and character that you’ve made for yourself before, during, and after any reunion. The ones meant to be there as it continues to grow won’t fight themselves to cheer you on. They’ll show up as naturally as you’ve begun, and continue to show up for yourself.

D.F