The other day, I read an engaging quote on the web site
French Word A Day, a very interesting blog site that pairs learning
new French words with armchair experiences of living in France.
Author Kristin Espinasse, an American married to a Frenchman, chronicles life in her adopted country, in her blog and book of the same name, both not to be missed.

The quote is from Michel de Montaigne, who by coincidence is a
native son of the Dordogne region, born in 1533. Montaigne is
best known for his invention of the literary form, the essay. No
doubt, some of you remember translating them in French class.

The essay comes from the French word “essai” which means test
or trial. Montaigne’s essays are ruminations of self examination,
continous probings into attitude towards the world and its beliefs.

Surely this concept is relevant today, when blogs are proliferating
by the moment. Maybe we are all Montaignes in cyber space!
But that is a whole other post.

Back to the striking chord.

Kristin quotes Montaigne:

“L’amitie se nourrit de communication”

“Friendship is nourished by communication”

I got to thinking about Montaigne, and also how we live in a world
that needs lots of figuring out. It brought me back to the practice of yoga and meditation.

For me, yoga and meditation are practices where we make friends
with our own self. We nourish our core through these inner quiet practices. We further a life long dialogue with our own best friends, ourselves.

To be at peace from within, we must be our own best friends and from there we can reach out and help others.

Nourish your own communication, with 5 minutes of quiet time,
noticing your breathing and looking at the changing seasons. See
how much it will enhance your next inner dialogue or external exchange. Strike an unexpected chord with a real gift.