I’m sitting in my hotel room, looking out over the entire city of Fort McMurray. It’s a chilling thought to think “I can see the residences of 40,000 people and I don’t know anyone.” I don’t think we were to live this way, absent from interacting with people.
Meeting new people and developing friendships is an odd thing. Someone, who was once a stranger, is now in the known. This person for who you now know has value. The stranger has a name, a personality, feelings and passions. You give this person value.
As this friendship continues, you start to interact more and closely. This one time acquaintance now is acquiring merit with you. Their opinions and views mean something in your life. You start to take note and respect their judgment. You are even venerable to this person.
And this is where I believe people get scared. Just as with love interests as with close friends, there comes a time when this person could and is going to hurt you. The question you have to ask is “will you anti up again?” Can poorly ended friendships from the past deter you from future friendships? Could you imagine living an entire life afraid to know anyone for the thought that they might leave you?
That wouldn’t be much of a life to live.
So our moral dilemma is that people will come in and out of your life all of the time with the ability to teach, love and hurt.
It’s good to meet people – make acquaintances. But don’t be a fool. Think about what you talk about with people, what you let known. Play your cards closely and wisely but remember that it is better to play a hand than to think about what could.