A thank-you note

I wanted to write today. The only thing that I could think about was who I wanted to write for. Which topic would intrigue who; what sort of discussion could I spark; how can I inspire my friends and family to think today?
Here it goes, from the beginning:


There are so many things to do.
Productivity, strives for achievement, self-improvement (consult Oprah or Forbes for reference).

And yet...

I am distracted insurmountably by engaging in activities that connect me to other people. Past and/or present, I've been playing around on facebook, following blogs, as well as dicking around with my own (e.g. this one). The media through which I attempt to communicate with others is electronic because I sit by myself in a windowless, florescent light flooded box of a room in front of a computer all day long. Which got me thinking...

Why must I work alone?

Being social is not just an activity utilized for just entertainment purposes. Why do I keep thinking that communicating with my friends and family is a "distraction." Distraction from what? Sociability, as I SHOULD know being a damn sociology major in college, is necessary to maintain simple sanity.

So if that's true, why must I believe that I work better alone? That I'm better alone? Even like I did as a kid (and I know other people though this way), I say, "Ugh, I hate group projects because I always end up doing everything." Truth of the matter is I didn't trust anyone enough to do the work well. Taking over the microscope, the sliced-up dead frog, the calculator, the textbook, the magnetic poetry pieces, the discussion even... I would get "us" A's. That kind of reinforcement only proved to me that my decision to dominate and exclude or ignore was perfectly justified. Letting someone else contribute would only compromise the possibility of marked success, right? Not only that, but I wanted my group members to think I was competent, impress them, let them know that I could provide them with something great. Additionally, and probably most importantly, I didn't used to trust that the end result would be what I imagined it to be.

But of COURSE it wouldn't end up being what I imagined. That's the nature of the group dynamic... as a unit, things are created that you couldn't possibly create with only YOUR mind.

Many times, the end result is better than you could've ever, ever, ever anticipated. This is something I believe to the core of my being.

I guess what I want to say is that I don't take any of my friends for granted. My longing to talk, chill, invite you to discuss stupid things like organ printing, have you join this book club, and party with you guys comes from the fact that WE enjoy EACH OTHER'S company... it's not just me looking for you or you looking for me.

Also, I've truly learned, and excuse me if I'm being really stupid-cliche, that even I am a product of a group project, so to speak. All of you have had a hand in creating me, as I have had a hand in creating you... even if it's been slight. I trust you. I'm glad you have contributed. I want you to contribute.

And that's something I am truly in awe of.

Thanks, guys.
:)