Meditations on Fidelity

Preface

This small book of meditations on fidelity contains brief reflections, profiles, selected quotations, and sets of open-ended questions. The meditations relate directly to some of the most essential aspects of my physical, intellectual, emotional, and spiritual nature and of my intra- and interpersonal human relationships.

These meditations are intended primarily to help me understand my own personal experiences. Perhaps, however, the meditations could be used as a source of reflection by others, whether—like me—they are individuals, partners, friends, parents or guardians, grandparents, educators, public or church school teachers, youth leaders or mentors.

As an individual who has experienced a physical, intellectual, emotional, and spiritual life in each of these important roles, it is my hope that meditating on fidelity can enhance my future relationships and can allow me to nurture myself and each of those I love in leading a more authentic, joyful, and meaningful life.

According to the 2014 fifth edition of Webster’s New World College Dictionary (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt), the English word “fidelity” is a noun that originated from the Middle English word “fidelite” and the Latin “fidelitas fidelis” meaning 1) faithful devotion to duty or to one’s obligations or vows; loyalty, faithfulness; 2) accuracy of a description, translation, etc., or of the reproduction of sound, image, etc. A synonym for fidelity is allegiance. The word for fidelity in German is “die Treue”; and in Spanish it is “la fidelidad.”

What does it mean for me to meditate or to focus on fidelity? The word meditate is a transitive verb, characterized by having or containing a direct object. Transition is a change from one state or condition to another. Meditation means, simply, to focus one's thoughts on, to reflect on, or ponder over. I welcome readers to send me their reflections on these meditations.