after my recent paradigm shift, i've been thinking about ways to be more active in my local surroundings. because previously, when i haven't found the human interaction i felt i needed in my everyday life, i turned to the blogosphere for such things. (easy now, i'm not abandoning that!) but husband has long teased me that i should find creative people in my area and hang out with them.
late last week, i stumbled onto the brooklyn brainery website and through it, found the society for the advancement of social studies and i longed for there to be such organizations in my area - somewhere to hang out with interesting people, to learn something esoteric, to teach about something i love (like blogging? or how to go about a 365 photo project?). and on facebook, i lamented that if there were to be such a thing in my area, i'd have to start it.
after more than a decade of closing myself off in order not to feel that feeling of rejection from the at times cold culture around me, i screwed up my courage and went to the library. i go to the library all the time, so it's not that bit that required courage. i knew that one of the women who works there is involved in the local "culture house," and i decided that i'd talk to her and share my ideas with her and ask how i could get involved. just out of the blue. like that. opening myself to rejection and everything.
and guess what? she was totally cool about it! she gave me her card and invited me to their january meeting where they will elect a new board and discuss the coming year. she said there are also possibilities for such activities through the library and not only through the local culture house (they managed to get their hands on the quaint old city hall building in our little town). and so last night, i sent her a mail with some ideas. and i'll talk to her some more on thursday. and i'm feeling pretty excited about it.
sometimes you just have to dare to get out there and meet someone new.
13 comments:
So looking forward on this new journey of yours. Hopefully I can learn something, see my own mistakes and move forward.
Maybe my journal will than be filled with happy encounters, the ones I pray for when I write.
Enjoy your day J.
How wonderful!
And that photo is great too.
Great idea. I think we all suffer from too much online interaction and not enough face to face. She says as she interacts online. (sigh)
it takes courage to do something new. i need to do the same ... go out and find some new people to hang out with.
This isn't a singles type bar for eggheads is it? If they start discussing who has the coolest pocket calculator, or give prizes for weekly science projects or there's more than a few group hugs, tell them you must leave because you need to get back to your Dark Dominion Vortex
(hope it goes well for you)
Very nice. I cannot wait to read future blog posts about this. P.S. There is gluten free bread ads on the right side of your blog aka amazing. <3
I'm so proud of you. :)
That is so very cool and courageous of you. You put yourself out there and you got more than you expected. YAY!!! Proud of you.
Wonderful. two years ago I did the same thing. I have never been so content with my multiple new friend relationships. I am not sure how it happened but my "best friend" was controlling and manipulative. after I finally saw the light, so to speak, I moved on, never looked back.
I wish the best for you. Just remember that most of those rejection type incidents probably have very little to do with you. Not everyone is going to like you anymore than you like all of them. Pick and choose and you will be fine. You have so much to offer. My general advise is, go slow, watch the dynamics of the group. Do a little superficial analysis of the personalities involved to evaluate just how you will fit in. It reduces the sense of being the outsider. Another dimension to your multi-faceted life.
Love, love, love the way the chickens are staring down the bunnies. Sort of like a barn yard rumble!
This is such a great post! We just bought a weekender in the country and had yet to meet anyone here. Earlier today I just started chatting with one of the shopowners in town and we realized just how much our families have in common. It feels great to know we've finally made a connection with this town in some way.
Go for it lady. Rejection is more tolerable than being lonely. They could probably use another willing hand - especially a creative one.
Thats wonderful. I like it!
Yeah for you! I know what that first step can feel like sometime. I'm glad you jumped in.
xo jj
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