Culture shock

Considering the purpose of my blog is to explore culture with the intent to create and solidify my own, I figure it might be important to begin to tackle the topic of one's social life. The dynamic of my social life, particularly since our return from India, is more interesting and diverse than ever before. To clarify "ever before", I would safely identify that as "since I left high school". One can never completely measure their social life within the years of high school and apply it to life after the fact, right? So many developments occur within oneself upon the completion of HS, so I intend "ever before" to mean, more specifically, since HS graduation day.

After our India trip, I counted on our typical routine of post-trip social isolation. But, for some reason it didn't happen this time. We were absolutely shocked by many aspects of the Canadian, suburban culture surrounding us, though the social interactions within those environments were not strained. I noted that my optimism and joy at being home overwhelmed my usual disenchantment from the world (namely people) around me. I dove into school study, exercise regime, and social appointments. The departure from the sluggish social framework of post-trip's previous was refreshing.

I wonder if being happy, content if you will, altered my approach to social life. I feel invigorated by meeting new people and trying out group events that I previously felt hesitant about. I do recognize that when I am not happy, particularly in work or relationships, that I don't call, e-mail, or initiate social outings. Unhappiness is a total detriment to my social development and ultimately, my complete person.

Is it coincidental that the older I get, the more willing I am to meet new people? Would it be safe to say that my comfort level with others is higher because I'm more at ease with me? Would it also be true that if I had a greater social circle over the past ten+ years I wouldn't have worked myself (at work, that is) so hard? Did work become my social event - even though I rarely let myself get social, at work?

The truth is that one also needs to active about it. Growing my social circle cannot simply pop up when I need it. Maybe I've finally figured out that I need friendships, new (and fresh) and old (and authentic). In order to have friends, I have to pursue them.

A beginning of more dialogue...