Michelle Obama defines her support system of family and friends as her “kitchen table”. It is the circle of people who fill up different parts of our lives in the present.

I have found this way of thinking about relationships to be particularly useful when dealing with hurt and loneliness. If a friendship grows distant or sours, it does not invalidate all the good memories we have had so far. It just means that our journey together has come to an end for the time being. Similarly, we should always make room and welcome new people to join us in our current phase. Past hurt should not close us off to the future.

Life is a train journey with multiple diverse people who get on and off at different stations. The train never stops nor should it close its doors to new travel companions.