The Zimmer Zoo

When I first moved to the Boston area about 8 or 9 years ago, I didn’t know anyone except my two sisters who were already here. I took a job – sight unseen – just to get me out of New Jersey and the messy breakup I’d gone through.

Before the aforementioned breakup, I made friends fairly easily, was considered a social butterfly, and was even called a “cruise ship director” by my family because I was the one to get everyone together. I was not this person any more; my self-confidence had pretty much been shattered.

When I started meeting new people, I was convinced that the one “bringing me along” just felt sorry for me, and that all the others were just being nice because their friend had brought me. Ya. It was that bad. There are times when I slip back into that person, but I’m much better than I was.

What turned it around, you ask? One moment that I will never forget – even though I’m ashamed to admit that I cannot remember who was involved, or if I’m even friendly with them any more. I was my usual tag-along with someone who ‘felt sorry for me’ and was chatting with this person and one of their friends. At one point in the conversation, the woman turned to her friend (my tagee) and said, so I could hear, “Oh, I like her!” I have no idea what we were talking about, what prompted the statement, or anything like that…but I will never forget those words or how they made me feel.

It also made me realize how few people use those words. Oh sure, you hear from your family that they love you – and that’s awesome – but it’s just not the same as someone liking you. Why is it so tough for us to let someone else know this? When’s the last time you heard it?

My challenge to you is this: the next time you meet someone new, and you actually find yourself liking them, TELL them. Heck, when’s the last time you told your best friends you liked them?

Filed under: me | Tagged: I like you |