Wandering Along the Path: Right Speech

Yesterday I walked with an old friend, one with whom I've had my ups and downs.  I detached a bit, enough to feel healthy and not full of expectations of her.  Now when we meet it's relaxing and cosy, because I'm not her judge by proxy and she's not someone to whom I reveal my deepest feelings.  Neither of us feels rejected anymore.  So she asked about separate rooms on a little retreat we are doing in September and I said I'd like a separate room, because she admits she coughs.  I wanted so badly to agree to share, but it wouldn't have been honest and frankly, I don't think I would have slept.  She was utterly graceful about it, and made my taking care of myself easy.  I appreciate that sensitivity on her part.  It's one of the things that keeps this long friendship viable, despite some rocky moments.  We've both learned more about ourselves and our shared meditation practices help that along.