Needing People.

Last weekend, when I was out running, I reminded myself to call a friend and ask her for the name of a product I needed from her friend, Jessie; since she and I are distant acquaintances. Just as I approached the reservoir, I saw a woman in dark sunglasses who looked just like Sandra. I approached her. I looked hard. I removed my sunglasses and looked again. It was her!

After I related my surprise at having her materialize before my eyes the minute I thought of her(considering she lives nowhere near the area)she said to me,

“We always attract the people we need.”

After that conversation, I walked away, deep in thought. Do we have an intrinsic force that makes a certain type of person flock to us? Do we strike friendships or relationships with people who can give us something in return? Do we attract a partner or a friend who can fulfill certain criteria at the time, and do we drift apart when they no longer provide what we need?

I thought it was the law of attraction and commonalities. But perhaps it is more akin to simple economics, a case of need and demand?

Looking back, there was one instance when I was inexplicably drawn to someone through a common experience. I felt I could help him and I gave it all I could, for which he was grateful. And that left me wondering, if we attract the people we need, what did I need from him...?