Transforming Transactional Interactions

You often regret transactional interactions, looking down upon them with disdain, repulsed by their casual nature as if they are an inconvenience to your pursuit of something greater? Who are you to be so self-righteous and foolish? This cannot be right. It's time to transform your mind and change your thinking; you must evolve.

You don't need to invest vigorously in such relationships or seek to increase your quantity of acquaintances for mere pleasure. They may, (and often will) annoy you because you're striving so hard to cultivate deep and meaningful relationships, which take time. But you feel robbed through these transient relationships. Instead, see them as enhancing and complementary to your deeper pursuits.

Think of the most beautiful buildings, exponentially enhanced by the landscape and décor that surrounds them. Their appeal would seem trivial without these small details. Similarly, your most transformational relationships are also enhanced by casual engagements. See these interactions through the lens of gratitude, not irritation.

At the same time, regulate your investment in them, honoring your soul's pursuit of transformational relationships. But do not delude yourself into thinking above the passing pleasantries of casual relationships. Reflect on the many times you engaged in such transactional senses. If others had the same mindset as you, they may have abandoned you, depriving you of the access they offered for your transformational moments together.

 See each interaction as an opportunity. Let your heart be open with appreciation, avoiding growing cold, and surround your figurative house of deep relationships with the decor of common and casual acquaintances. This is more aligned with your virtues' aim than a solitary existence in the desert.