I may not be one to strike up a conversation with a stranger in a waiting room. But what I do know is that when I was a file clerk for nearly two years, I missed the interaction with people I had with previous jobs.
What it takes to be a people-person is changing.
And I don't know if I have what it takes...
I understand that the cause of this is greatly influenced by my "growing up," but has the world really always been this cynical?
I once had someone tell me that going to seminary would turn me into a cynic. I pray to God that doesn't happen.
I hate that, even as I write this, what's running through my head are all the argumentative statements/comments people could and would make about what I'm writing. And it makes me sad that I could tell you exactly who would say what. But that's the reality. That's the reality of publishing something on the internet. I try to keep my blog an optimistic and hopeful space, because I honestly feel that I'm an optimistic and hopeful person. But what happens when that hopefulness isn't seen as another fabric of the tapestry of society, but rather it's seen as a weakness? What happens when those with an optimistic light dim it in fear of being extinguished?
See, I think we need cynical people, I do. I think they play an important role in the balance of the human experience. But I also think we need the optimistic and excited people. I'm proud to be a dreamer. I've been called naive, a lot. But I think I was labeled with a misunderstanding. I don't believe absolutely everything I'm told. I think critically and I research a lot. I'm inquisitive, just not argumentative. I don't believe in debate as a practical means for really any purpose. I do believe in discussion. But most importantly, I believe in safe spaces. Spaces where people can share without the fear of being ripped apart. Spaces were it's ok if you don't know all of the "right words." Spaces where you don't have to pretend to share everyone's experiences.
We all live in this one world, but every single one of us sees it through different eyes, filtered through different experiences, peppered with different personalities.
And I think that's pretty damn great.
Thanks for reading.
Em.