Give A Little Bit

My social life has shown the same pattern of improvement throughout my life. Generally I believe the more people get to know me, the more they like me. By the time elementary school ended, I was one of the most successful and popular kids at Bixby School. I entered middle school as one of the biggest dorks in the school and exited reasonably well-adjusted. In high school I didn't get much traction the first year but by the time it was over I had managed to carve out a nice niche with a core group of friends. College was similar as my first year was wasted socially but eventually I settled into a satisfactory crew or two and graduated happy with everyone around me. And now, three and a half years after graduating and moving back to Boulder, I am more satisfied with my social life than any time I can recall.

Getting off the tournament circuit and spending more consistent time exploring sustained activities has been one of the keys to the recent improvement. I've also discovered that small sacrifices can go a long ways in your relationships. It's not easy for a stubborn SOB like me to give ground on something I believe or spend time doing anything but my favorite activities, but I increasingly realize that backing down a little bit is well worth it in the long run. Your friends will appreciate you more, but more importantly, you will see things from their point of view and gain a greater appreciation for them. In the end, the time you spend with your friends will be enriched because of greater mutual appreciation.