Today was one of those days where I found myself in a mental tug-of-war. On one side was the looming urge to cancel plans and crawl back into my comfort zone, and on the other, the realization of how blessed I am to have people in my life I can actually meet up with. Even though I only go out with friends every two or three weeks, the thought of socializing today almost felt like a burden.
I had to pause and give myself a reality check. I mean, having friends is not something to take lightly. It's a surreal blessing. I know that's a funny thing to say, especially for someone like me who’s constantly surrounded by people for work and other endeavors. But there's a difference between transactional interactions and genuine relationships. Today was an opportunity for the latter.
It got me thinking about how each meetup is a mini-training ground. A training ground for what, you ask? For life. It's an opportunity to practice listening—to really hear what someone is saying, not just wait for my turn to speak. It's a chance to practice connecting people, a skill that I know is going to serve me well as I navigate through life and maybe even help me find my life partner one day.
I also realized that being around friends allows me to tap into a different aspect of myself. Away from the grind and hustle, I can allow my more flowy, watery, feminine side of my spirit to come forth. It's a break from the relentless 'work, work, work' mindset, and it's like stepping out of my isolated little hole into the light of companionship.
So, I shook off the hesitance and embraced the outing wholeheartedly. The experience made me acutely aware of how crucial it is to pause and appreciate these moments. To be grateful for the people and opportunities that life has offered me. Because they're not just social outings; they're life lessons in disguise.
And for that, I am truly grateful.