Awkwardness, it's okay

Human beings in a room with other human beings are awkward for a while. You’d think we’d have figured out, as a species, how to speed past the painful bit and slide into acquaintance and friendship gracefully. But that’s not possible. Humans are awkward.

We’re off the hook! We can’t change it, and it’s not just you. So go to the church potluck! Stand around during coffee hour with the people whose faces you’ve seen but names you don’t know! It’s really simple: presence, eye contact, telling and hearing each other’s stories (interesting and otherwise), is what life is made of. It’s how we are loved, and how we love. Someone asks your name (again) and listens to your story with curiosity. You ask them theirs (again), and they make you laugh. You’ll be surprised how quickly people open up and how quickly you’ll feel more comfortable.

I think many of my most important relationships began with awkward park dates, small talk at a dinner function, even square dancing at a school fundraiser! It’s never been easy to be at ease. No period of history has been any better at it. So dive in. Spend time with the humans. It’s so important - for them and for you.