Create Your Own Environment

I was speaking with my cousin a couple weeks ago, and he was telling me all about his new relationship with a girl he’s known since high school.  He was so excited, and I could just tell he was just super happy.  One of the things that he was telling me about, was that this girl was easy to talk to.  And, it got me thinking about not only how important communication is in general, but how important it is to create an environment that actually allows for open communication!  No one will open up to you if you’re going to take that information and gossip, or use it against them, or even criticize or make fun of them.  There have definitely been people in my own life that I wanted to open up to, but didn’t feel safe.  In some situations, I felt safe with telling a person certain things, but not others, depending on the subject matter.   
 
We are each responsible for creating the environment we want.  Unfortunately, there are many instances where we are creating an environment we don’t want.  We just don’t realize it.  For me, I’m lonely and I crave closer relationships, but I struggle with being approachable.  At work, I’m pretty quiet and work with my head down, completely consumed with what I’m doing.  Plus, because I’m always busy, I’m all business.  I rarely get involved more than asking how a co-worker’s day is going, with the expectation that I’ll only get a short response.  And, because of my age, I’m really relying on my job to meet people.  Most of my friends have moved away, or have made a new circle of friends depending on who their kids are friends with.  So, being more open and social at work, and making time to grab a coffee with someone is now a higher priority of mine.