My life changes when I get to really know someone. My own world expands. Forget space as the final frontier. The random person sitting next to you on the subway is a subject I’m referring to here. The anonymous person you email from an online ad is another. A stranger is one such uncharted frontier. I’m an introvert in public, so I don’t believe it’s appropriate to ask that person sitting next to you a series of personal questions. However, when you ever find yourself engaged in some form of dialogue, offer undivided attention. Ordinary people are fascinating.
One’s trust is a gift, so we should be so flattered to hear someone sharing an intimate story. I have a handful of dudes that I call my “brothers.” Each bond was born in different social circles and from unrelated circumstances and yet each bond thrives on the occasional conversation over beer or coffee. I know these guys very well, but it’s always a trip to catch up on what’s going on in their respective worlds.
When you have a family, your social circles tend to involve other families. Talk about drab and predictable. For those parents out there, you know why - almost every other topic is about the children. Whoever said that a parent’s life ceases to matter or deserve focus and attention once children join the household? Obviously, children are a priority, but I believe some parents have abandoned themselves, their inspirations, their desires, and their well-being. I digress, but my point is that parents should be encouraged to meet new people that aren’t parents. To lose one’s identity as an individual is just tragic. (I may devote a blog entry on this topic of neglected parents at a later date, so stay tuned.)
Engage someone new today, however brief, and may you be moved by the experience. It certainly doesn’t have to involve a commitment or anything, but if there’s a connection, you just discovered a whole new world.
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