Call me Jerry... or just call me! (09/01/2007)

I have a problem... you see by nature I tend to be an extremely social person. I am an extrovert to the highest degree, and I love to include others in the activities I enjoy. That being said, I don't enjoy doing most things on my own, as I would rather share my experiences with others. Admittedly I would rather be in the company of friends than be alone. This is a condition of mine that I struggle with constantly, as often I find myself not participating or failing to enjoy a particular activity due to the simple fact that I can't talk somebody into enjoying it with me. So go ahead and call me Jerry Maguire, but I just don't do well by myself.

Now I'm not saying that I can't do things alone, in fact I end up doing that more often than I care to admit; it is just that I prefer the company of others is all. I have known about this condition of mine for quite some time now, and I'm sure that is blatantly apparent to those who know me well. Fortunately for me, I have a wide pool of friends who I try to evenly displace my need for companionship on.

I don't know where this desire for socialization stems from, yet I cannot deny it's persistence in my psyche. Maybe it is due to the fact that for a number of years growing up I was extremely shy and somewhat quiet. Then somewhere in my late teens that all changed with an influx of new friends who thankfully pulled me out of my shell.

This metamorphosis from an introvert to an extrovert has had it's benefits, as well as it's drawbacks. On the plus side it has done amazing things to help me in my career... especially in sales. I have also been able to develop quite a few amazing and fulfilling relationships with a number of individuals, both professionally and personally. It has also helped me to have fabulous times up on stage singing, and has been an indispensable resource when the time comes to make a speech or toast.

On the flip side to this is there are periods of time in my life when I simply don't have friends available for one reason or another, and sometimes this leaves me with incredible feelings of despair and an unnerving sense of being alone. Often during these times I find myself desperately reaching out with phone calls, texts, emails or a number of other means of communication to anyone who will listen. There have been times when every effort I make seems to go unnoticed, every call ends up unanswered in a voicemail box, every text goes out with no reply or maybe simply ignored. It is at those times that my feelings of distress compound and intensify.

Luckily those moments of feeling alone are few and far between for the most part, and I consider myself blessed to have the great friends I do today. All in all, the benefits and positives of my "condition" far outweigh the negatives. As is the norm, I remain an optimist and each new day brings promise of that next experience.

In conclusion I have to say thanks to all of you who entertain me or bear with me as I attempt to entertain you. As my friends and loved ones, you are the sparkle in my eyes... the joy in my laughter... and my reason for living. You are a resource I hope to never lose and I sincerely hope that I am able to repay all you do for me whatever that may be.

~ David