The Dichotomy that is My Social Life…

Clarity has been reached, and with it, a feeling of extreme helplessness to direct and control my social destiny. Diversity in life is important, and surrounding yourself with a diverse grouping of individuals is extremely healthy. That being said, I also feel that one should choose friends wisely, as you will undoubtedly be influenced by them. But what happens if the friends surrounding you are not chosen, but are a result of a common activity, social club, or belief system (church, for instance)?

I am surrounded by the oddest assortment of social groups. Each group is interconnected in some form or fashion, but one rarely chooses to be associated with the others in social settings.

This little revelation was made clear to me at a recent party I attended (and organized). After arriving, each individual filtered into what I like to call his/her “comfort group” and proceeded to spend the rest of the evening with that particular grouping of individuals. Everyone knew each other, but there was little to no intermingling between groups. There were those who bridged the gap though, interacting with each group, trying to “be all things to all people” as it were. During the meal, you could see the separation of groups, with both the groupless, and “gap bridgers” sitting in the middle.

I guess that little party was a fairly good representation of society as a whole. You have your exclusive groupings, your social misfits that don’t seem to fit into any group, and then your “gap bridgers.”

So what is the ideal? Should everybody attempt to be a “gap bridger”? Or is this just another facet of one’s unique personality (i.e. outgoing vs. introverted)?

For me, feeling at ease regardless of the setting or group is ideal. Having the ability to converse with both geek and socialite, businessman and artist, vagabond and boy scout is talent that I aspire to perfect at some point in my life.

Is this possible? Time will tell...