Friction or Compatibility

Just a few haunting questions and thoughts

 

The possibilities of what can happen between two people are limitless and thrilling-don’t you think so? Whenever you think of bringing people together, or of them coming together of their own volition or by some quirk of fate, we are talking of relationships. When we talk of relationships we talk of compatibility (not merely confined to romantic liaisons). However a question arises in my mind- is there total compatibility in relationships or is it a myth? For that matter is that desirable or essential? We are human beings right?!( or so we would like to believe though we are not unanimous about the specifications or the definitions of this species).Then why should we fit together as if we were pieces of a jigsaw puzzle to form a convenient collage called society.

 

We have our rough and smooth edges, our unique shapes and temperaments. We move along draping the fabric of life. This fabric is not fool proof armor; it has its chinks created by the fingers of fate. We move along the stream of life being thrown together and thrown apart by the whims and fancies of the current. I actually do not understand the compulsive need that people have to define relationships, give it a name, a flavor or fit it into a particular category. It is much too abstract to be given a specific shape, which is as impossible as trying to pin a cloud down to the ground. It is just people who come together and connect as they tumble along the currents of life. As we move alongside each other there is bound to be friction. The very word friction sparks off a controversy in my mind. Friction helps in smoothening rough edges as in the case of pebbles being huddled along with a stream.

 

 

All pebbles don’t survive friction. Some get ground to dust. The one’s that get to be smoothened by friction turn out to be collectible items! Friction evokes a spark in certain cases; the spark that led to the igniting of fire which cooked up civilizations. Friction of ideas in one’s mind leads to creative outputs, whereas friction between generations leads to unbridgeable gaps. The friction of a match stick can dispel darkness. So are we necessarily looking for complacent compatibility only or is it okay to allow friction that can trigger off illumination and warmth and smoothen our rough edges while allowing us to move along together? However one has to be careful that the spark doesn’t lead to a blaze which can reduce all to ashes. But even then why be scared, haven’t we heard of the phoenix that rose again from the ashes??   

Reviews

Very good insight. It is different and distinct to see how friction between two can bring closer through warmth or create a fire.

I like how you are able to take natural occurrences and bring insight beyond the physical. Insights, after all, do derive from lessons from nature. Another valuable guru we should respect.

A good read

[J Allison]

Put into words so perfectly. Theres a feeling familiarity but its raw and original.

[None]

You have a special flair and intelligence that transposes itself in amazing ways to your writing. A candid look at relationships here with brilliant observations made. Your words: "We move along draping the fabric of life. This fabric is not fool proof armor; it has its chinks created by the fingers of fate" this is very profound. Also: "It is much too abstract to be given a specific shape, which is as impossible as trying to pin a cloud down to the ground"
You have such originality and insight throughout your story.

[Imperfection]

As we move alongside each other there is bound to be friction. The very word friction sparks off a controversy in my mind. Friction helps in smoothening rough edges as in the case of pebbles being huddled along with a stream.

What a wonderful way to put it!!
But most of the time, we don't think this way.

However one has to be careful that the spark doesn't lead to a blaze which can reduce all to ashes. But even then why be scared, haven't we heard of the phoenix that rose again from the ashes??

There isn't just unwarranteed hope in these words; there is reason,there is logic.

I needed to read this piece today. Thanks for posting it.

[Santulan]

this is an interesting read, and i am amazed at your observation of what you have written here. You are referring to the other side of the coin, the road less traveled. Yes i must say that you are right and that we are binding ourselves. as impossible or pointless as it may seem but we tend to do things for the sole reasons that we are human

[TL Boehm]

smartly written flow of thought here. We do forget that friction can produce as well as destroy. You make some profound statements in this piece and the style is easy to read. Nicely done!

[Phil Sanders]

Brillaint writing ... it follows a logical train of thought and makes the reader think about relationships too .. marvellous .... Phil

[Floating on the feather..]

You make friction sound better than compatibility... I personally thought it is very necessary to have compatibility but now it seems that perhaps friction is better, since friction smoothen the rough edges and trigger off illumination and warmth, as you have put it.
But the only issue is that, there is a thin line between the spark and the blaze, and most of the times the spark doesn't even spare you minutes and you find yourself in an inferno. And there you are, alone, with no-one, absolutely no-one.
If only we could know the right mixture......