Maybe you are the kind of person who loves to try new experiences. Maybe you are drawn to them like a magnet to a fridge. Or, maybe you avoid the new and unfamiliar. I have been the hesitant, unsure friend most of my life. Surrounded by risk-takers, I was usually the one in the corner watching. I would have told you that I wanted it that way; yet, deep down, I felt left out and wished I was braver.
Some of your quiet friends may actually mean it when they say, “No, I’d rather not try that.” But, some of them may be like me. “No, I’d rather not try that” might mean “I’d totally do that if I wasn’t so completely freaked out by the idea.” You could be the one who helps your wallflower friend jump out of the background and into life!
Pick Something Out of the Ordinary You Love and Introduce Someone Else to It
Is there an experience you love which is unique? Do you enjoy a yearly hot air balloon ride? Do you research waterfalls and try to hike to as many as you can each year? Do you take a class each semester to broaden your horizons? If so, consider involving a friend.
We do not have to look far to find someone who is overworked, under-nourished, and sleep-deprived. It is important to accomplish in life – God put us here for a reason; but, we also need to enjoy creation as well as work in it. Who is someone who is excellent at working, but needs an excuse to have a little fun? Could you be that awesome excuse? Can you take him or her on an adventure that may ignite a passion?
Think of all the joy you would have missed out on if someone had not introduced you to your favorite pastimes. ~smile~
Save a Little Extra for a Friend
When planning your next fun experience, consider setting aside a little extra money for a friend who needs to get out of the house. If you and your sweetie are going on adventure together, consider sponsoring another couple to join you. You may open their world up to something they will love forever!
My mother-in-law introduced me to the joy of pedicures during a girls’ outing several years ago. ~smile~ My brother-in-law shared his passion for ice skating with me by paying my way into a public skating session at a local rink (and my sister-in-law stayed close by me as I clung to the wall for dear life ~smile~). Eric has opened my culinary world tremendously by taking me to several ethnic restaurants I would have never chosen on my own.
I am thankful for the people who have so generously paid for me to enjoy their hobbies with them!
Pull Others Out of Their Shell… with Options
Maybe your slightly shy work friend is uncomfortable joining you for salsa dancing, but is there anything else you can do together? You can be a blessing by opening his or her world, but maybe you could start smaller? Offer three options: “Do you want to join me for SlamBall on Tuesday, dance with me on Thursday, or visit my book club on Friday?” It’s easy to say no to a single invitation, but much harder when several invitations happen at once. ~smile~
Knowing me, I would start with the book club just because it is the least threatening environment (or, so I would think ~smile~); but, after the first meeting, I would likely gladly trade my book for a SlamBall experience. Some of us just need time to warm up to new ideas.
Think about where you are in your life today. How much have other people influenced you? How different would you be if you had never been introduced to the sports, crafts, and hobbies you love? Be that person who opens doors for someone else. ~smile~ We corner-dwellers need people like you in our lives! Bless you!
Can you help broaden your sweetie’s (or a friend’s) horizons?