Human bonds are complicated. No instruction manual guarantees their success, but neither is there an absolute system that will distinguish right from wrong before they are created. Some will be weak and break easily, while others are strong and last for years. Some bonds are created in an instant without us realizing it, while others take a long time to mature. Undoubtedly, those that change according to the seasons exist, or they are built to serve a purpose. Regardless of its type though, every bond we make during our lifetime is unique.
From the moment we first open our eyes, we have already secured the first bond. The people who are by our side at that time will prove to be the most important because the bond that unites us with them is that of blood. Then, the time we will share with them will determine the evolution of our relationship. If it ends early, the bond will weaken, but won’t be entirely lost. On the other hand, if we remain united, this relationship will flourish and rightly be called family. The family bond is ultimately invaluable and worth keeping as a treasure. But, even the bond itself does not guarantee that it will last forever.
And, as time goes on, we meet more and more people on our way. At school, the first depiction of society in which we become members, friendships, dislikes, loves, and acquaintances are created. And so, bonds are created, most of which are accompanied by expiration dates, while leaving their mark on our memory. However, this process does not stop at a young age. Even when we grow up, we continue to have relationships with people, professional, friendly, hostile, marital, and many more. Slightly different, a little more mature, and with a varying scale of influence, which sometimes can be honest, while other times they can serve diverging interests. But their effect will have the same intensity as all the previous ones.
Still, what do all the above relations have in common? And in the end, how can we lay the foundations so that they never break? First of all, if we want our relationship to be moral, we usually seek ideals such as trust, honesty, and acceptance. This may constitute a classic answer, but reality has more to do with the character and motivations of every person, as well as the people in front of us. As far as their preservation is concerned, this is the most complicated part. There is no easy way, just hard work, notably because the relationship involves two different human beings with unique mindsets and values. To meet in the middle will require compromises and devotion and surely, beautiful moments.
However, despite the difficulties we seem to encounter in building bonds, no one can live by themselves. And indeed, all the value and enthusiasm are hidden in these very difficulties. Because the steeper a path is, the more it is worth walking. All experiences, good or bad, can make us stronger and more capable of maintaining our precious bonds.
Photography by Sotiris Stamatiou