On being a social chameleon

I like to think of myself as a social chameleon – all part of my immigrant background, I’m sure.

You see, when my family moved to the United States, I wanted nothing more than to blend in. So I started adapting – quiet and studious with my straight A friends, swearing like a sailor with my badass friends, debating during bible study with my church people and using cool slang with my American peeps.

I can get along with just about anybody. If you swear, I swear. If you pray, I pray with you. If you flash people, well….um, I wouldn’t do that, but I’d laugh until tears would stream down my face.

I was thinking the other day about how much time I spent trying to fit in, and how it now feels like wasted time. I think we often try so hard to find a group of people that are just like us, that like the same things, do the same stuff and think just like us. All in the hopes of feeling understood, of belonging. But the truth is that the real salt of life… the spice that makes it all worthwhile isn’t similarity. It’s actually what sets each of us apart.

I think it’s so funny how much people have a problem with swearing….

Frankly, I’d rather focus on if you are a decent human being, I’d rather look at what you DO with your life, not what you exclaim when you stub your f***ing toe or when someone cuts you off in traffic. I have amazing friends that wouldn’t swear if it killed them and others that swear like it’s their job. I can love each of them in my own unique way. I can love them exactly how they need to be loved.

So take a seat at a table, stay open, welcome strangers and welcome all.

This life is SO beautiful, shared with others.