Maintaining our relationships just introduces more genuine paths to feel love, acceptance and camaraderie. It's a skill we must practice. And as our social groups grow, our pathways to joy grow exponentially. It becomes easy to see why maintaining a large social group is often so enriching.
I can hangout with Jose that that feels fun. There's 1 connection there that leads to good feels.
But introduce Michelle and I now have 3 connections that leads to good feels. I can laugh at the jokes I make with Jose, the jokes that I make with Susan and the jokes they make between each other.
One more friend and that's now 6 separate human connections between people that I can experience in some way.
I've only discovered (or excepted) this idea and need for connection for myself in the last few years. Connection with the friends I've known since I was a kid is special and fulfilling but I've also found that I really want to get to know the people around me now and meet new friends. Someone in our town was complaining about new apartments and buildings and I joked that I loved it because of all the new people I could potentially get to know. But, I realized I wasn't joking.
I was just talking with my teenage son about this today and hoping to open him up to the value of connection and inclusivity.
I've found that I've started doing a lot of the items on your list regarding friends.
And it feels great, despite my 16 year old voice in my head telling me that's not how a man is supposed to be. Once more - "piss off teenage self".
Relationships are found in conversations. Staying silent or hiding behind posts only creates division and loneliness. Start a conversation. Chime in like I’m doing here.
Maintaining our relationships just introduces more genuine paths to feel love, acceptance and camaraderie. It's a skill we must practice. And as our social groups grow, our pathways to joy grow exponentially. It becomes easy to see why maintaining a large social group is often so enriching.
I can hangout with Jose that that feels fun. There's 1 connection there that leads to good feels.
But introduce Michelle and I now have 3 connections that leads to good feels. I can laugh at the jokes I make with Jose, the jokes that I make with Susan and the jokes they make between each other.
One more friend and that's now 6 separate human connections between people that I can experience in some way.
Love this.
Loveeee this post. Thank you for sharing!
Thanks for reading!!!
I've only discovered (or excepted) this idea and need for connection for myself in the last few years. Connection with the friends I've known since I was a kid is special and fulfilling but I've also found that I really want to get to know the people around me now and meet new friends. Someone in our town was complaining about new apartments and buildings and I joked that I loved it because of all the new people I could potentially get to know. But, I realized I wasn't joking.
I was just talking with my teenage son about this today and hoping to open him up to the value of connection and inclusivity.
I've found that I've started doing a lot of the items on your list regarding friends.
And it feels great, despite my 16 year old voice in my head telling me that's not how a man is supposed to be. Once more - "piss off teenage self".
Relationships are found in conversations. Staying silent or hiding behind posts only creates division and loneliness. Start a conversation. Chime in like I’m doing here.
Thanks for commenting. I agree but am confused. Are you getting the sense that I’m hiding behind this post?
Not at all bro. I’m on your side.