A FRIEND knows your DIFFICULTIES - You are NOT ALONE

“A friend knows our difficulties and shadows and remains in sight, a companion to our vulnerabilities more than our triumphs, when we are under the strange illusion we do not need them.” - David Whyte

A deep friendship is one in which we feel seen and loved for exactly who we are. And when we are in someone's company and they are in ours, we have agreed to bear witness to each other, and that is a beautiful thing - when we feel safe enough to talk about what’s really on our minds and in our hearts.

When we bear witness, we lovingly give our attention to the other without judgment. When we allow another to bear witness to us, we give ourselves the freedom to be known. It is an honour to bear witness, if we choose to see this life as an opportunity for extraordinary growth. So here's to doing so in strength, in weakness, with resilience, with love.

Filmed in Portland, Oregon, United States.

Filming - by Michael Raimondo
Editing - by Justine du Toit
Sound mix - by Tamryn Breakey

All of our films are made possible through the generous support of our patrons.

This film is part of a series collaboration between three independent filmmakers - Reflections of Life, Campfire Stories and Happen Films. These films explore how small acts of love and kindness have the potential to ripple out and change the world, touching hearts and minds in ways that we could never begin to imagine.

We'll be sharing a total of 12 short films, from across five continents - releasing one per month for the whole year of 2024 - four from each filmmaker.

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The following music tracks are used in this film:
You've Changed So Much - by Indigo Days (via Epidemic Sound)
Eyes Locked With Yours - by Rupert Sachs (via Epidemic Sound)
Loto - by Matteo de Grandis (via Audiio)
Starways - by Eden Avery (via Epidemic Sound)
Everything Will Fade - by Ave Air (via Epidemic Sound)
Paper Thin Reality - by Ave Air (via Epidemic Sound)

A huge thank you to these guys, who gave so generously of their to time to help with translations, enabling us to provide subtitles in the following languages:
Albanian - by Denis Skendaj
Arabic - by Frihat Oussama
Croatian - by Davor Bobanac
Czech - by Katarína Borek
Dutch - by Karla Greven
English - by Justine du Toit
French - by Amélie Macoin
German - by Tanja Pütz
Greek - by Vicky Polychroni
Indonesian - by Ary Nuansa
Italian - by Grazia Gironella
Korean - by Hotae Devin Noh
Polish - by Anna Konieczna
Portuguese - by Sibylle Steinpass and Lucivani Valvassori
Spanish - by Paty Aguirre
Vietnamese - by Thi Le

[claudiaknecht]

Wonderful energy - I just realized that when your are pregnant, for a short time in life one is not alone in the body. And that was a very precious experience for me, every time. ❤

[debbykicken]

'We don't know anything about what is actually happening in the lives of other people. What isn't or is happening behind any given wall, behind any given door, behind sny given person's face and heart. I have no idea what part of their humanity is shining and what part of their humanity is suffering. So let me be gentle then in the way in which I walk through this field with them..' ❤❤❤

[nickschannel]

In a sea of negative news, this channel is a wonderful island. Thank you . Blessings

[donmcallister]

Look at the group of people sitting in chairs with their blankets and jackets and hats on… to listen to your words… now with this video the crowd outside your door has just become much larger… to hear your words. Thank you for your message. Happy Earth Day 🌎 to all… 🌎🕊️
🌜🌞🌛

[musaquazi]

"There is more to life than having everything." " In what world is friendship not the greatest love?"

[lindamacfarland]

Simplistic, deep, resonating, truthful and extremely, beautifully thought provoking. Thank you friend.

[opheliaoctopus]

This channel is my favorite on YouTube. Thank you.

[Rositasparks]

What a lovely soul. Be gentle with others and appreciate their friendship…..if only for a passing moment.❤

[sahana_here]

Trust me, This channel is a therapy ❤

[angelaame]

As a 56 year old having lived not the greatest life, his message resonated deep within me!!! Thanks for sharing a drink from your cup.... Much love...

[tereseb]

I remember being in that state of great emotional pain he’s talking about and thinking to my self ‘’the heart is not made by glass, it won’t shatter’’ over and over again, to comfort myself, but then I realised that when it’s shattered many, many, many times, it actually opens and reveals it’s true self, which has completely new and more profound understanding of love, compassion, pain, that the old heart didn’t have and wouldn’t have. 🌹 also, ‘everyday I am ok and not ok’ is just spot on. Love it very very much, thank you

[Esme]

Trust me, you won’t arrive at the end of your life with an empty cup. You already are making a difference in your life and other peoples lives and you will have fulfilled your legacy. ❤

[JJNow-ggso]

Life is an incredible issue full of beauty and full of pain. Impossible to have one without the other. Same coin flip side 🤗✨🦋

[stephaniet]

You're sweet to your dogs. That says everything to me. ❤🐕

[lovelifementoring]

Can’t believe I missed this one. It should have been priority ❤ beautiful as always. Thank you! Oh and you have a very gorgeous dog.

[patriciapankow]

He's just beautiful. And spreading it around like apple seeds.

[YasnaKo]

We are not alone in our bodies. They have a whole ecosystem. This thought sometimes comforts me.

[maritapino]

Reflexiones de vida... Esto es para ustedes...
Creo firmemente que sus corazones son hermosos y que este canal una vez fue un sueño, una meta hecha realidad, y creo que fueron movidos por algo más grande que no logramos entender pero que sabemos apreciar, porque cada video tiene un bello e impactante mensaje de vida, a través de ustedes he podido cruzar fronteras, viajar, conocer hermosos seres, no tengo palabras suficientes para agradecerles, cada video es un regalo y una inspiración!!! Bendiciones infinitas para todos los que conforman esta bella labor !!!

[mariawilson]

You live my body, thank you for sharing. I cried. Articulated so beautifully . Oh how to live in the world in kindness, and love. With a heart truly broken open

[cheryldingley]

“If our heart is not scraping against something then why are we here?…. This reminds us of our being present here ….and is what the human experience is …..my task is not to arrive at the end of my life with my heart whole and unsullied. If it is unsullied it means I didn’t use it….”
So much depth in the understanding of our journey here - so great - thank you.