Quote Week: Day #4 - "Strangers and Friends"

Today's Photo: "The Highly Floral Couch"

"Fear makes strangers of people who would be friends." - Shirley MacLaine

Phone calls to strangers make me nervous. It's weird. I don't know why. And guess what? I have to make phone calls to strangers regularly because I'm just starting my work at this church and nearly everyone is a stranger to me. I enjoy meeting new people, but I get a small panic attack everytime I have to call one. And then, as I wait through the rings - one - two - three - anticipating what kind of awkward voicemail I can leave, I really get anxious! Many times, I don't get to leave a voicemail because the stranger will answer.

Well you won't believe this next part! Usually, the stranger is happy to chat! In fact, a lot of times, the stranger even wants a visit! And then, the stranger usually becomes a friend!

And then I think to myself, "Why was I such a nervous-nilly about making the phone call?"

Fear. It's so icky and consuming. People fears are especially bonkers. What are we so afraid of when it comes to strangers: the lady we always run into at the grocery store, the neighbor we've never met, the person in the pew at church who always sits alone, the friend of a friend we keep running into but never take time to chat with. Strangers = potential friends.

I wrote to a friend of mine today in an email that my goal is to have a small handful of real, non-parishioner friends by Christmas. This means I am going to have to talk to strangers. And I'm going to have to get over my fears.

And, in the midst of it all, I will think of the lovely author of today's quote: Shirley MacLaine.