HW2 and the Role of the Companion

Today's post comes from a Connections blog post that talked about bread and it's definitive place in our lives. Why bread you ask? Well, when you break apart the word "companion" into its formative pieces you get "com" meaning with, and "panis" meaning bread. So, a companion is one who comes to us with bread. While this is less of an issue in current life, at one point, this was possibly the only food that one might have, and offering bread was a major part of hospitality.

While in high school, I worked as a baker's helper. One of my jobs at the bakery was to weigh, roll out, and then bake the different breads and rolls. The smell coming from the oven as the bread baked was one that still transports me to those days some 30 years ago. A favorite snack was a fresh baked roll right out of the oven slathered with butter - still is today. When people came to the counter, you could see the change in their faces when the smell of bread hit them. They would always comment on the fact that the package was still warm to the touch. They were happy.

When we look at our dis-ease, one aspect of that is our individualism and isolation - and our lack of joy bacuase of that. One can't be isolated when another brings bread and offers us a portion. If we think a moment about sharing a meal and the benefits on our psyche and our bodies, we see that the metaphor of sharing bread - being companions to each other, confers more than just physical benefit. How can we bring bread to another and ease their loneliness?

One aspect of our unhealth that is so common now days is that we feel lonely, even when we are surrounded by people. It's one of the major factors behind the growth of internet social networking (in my opinion). The problem with virtual networks is that one can't easily or as definitively "break bread" with another. Nothing can replace the face-to-face sharing and ability to have side conversations and see body language -that adds so much to our togetherness and a sense of connectivity.

If you feel that you're missing something in your life and your HW2 (health, wellness and wholeness) pick up some fresh baked bread and share it with another. Even better, bake some bread or rolls from scratch - you will get the added benefit of the aroma in the house, as well as feeling good about co-creating something. Then go out and share widely - you'll be surprised how good you feel; and how good you make others feel.

Your companion on the journey,
Dan