Hi, Nice to Meet You

In my head, meeting people sounds amazing.

I find people interesting. I love to know how people grew up, why they do what they do, their goals, what they want in life, what they find interesting. I love to learn how we are all connected; how we are all so different, but yet share so much in common.

But when it comes time to meet new people, I close up. I get shy. Too afraid to talk. A million and ten thoughts run through my head and I don't know how to slow them down, open my mouth, and squeak something, anything, out.

Many say that they "hate people." They don't go out because they "hate people." They don't want to meet new people because they "hate people."


One person does something we don't like and suddenly we hate everyone.


"Hate" is a pretty strong word--I urge you to use it less. Try "dislike" or "don't agree."

Even though I get nervous, I don't hate people. I love people. I love getting to know them. I love learning what makes them tick. I love to see them passionate about something. Anything. I may dislike their choices, but I don't hate them. I want to see someone be stubborn; I want to see you stick your ground and stand for what you believe in (it is possible to be a polite and open-minded, while staying true to your beliefs); I want to see people succeed.


We don't have to agree with someone's choices to love them.


I don't love stealing, cheating, lying, or deceiving. I don't love standing on the flag or shooting people. I don't love attacking people, we've never even met, over the internet because we don't agree with a choice they made. I just choose not to make those choices. If I had to agree with someone's every choice to love them, I wouldn't love anyone. Nobody is perfect. I am surely not. Sometimes I don't even agree with my own choices!

We need to be kind. We need to be supportive. We need to be patient. We need to be open-minded. We need to not say anything if we don't have anything nice to say. If you wouldn't say it in front of your grandma, at church, don't say it. 

But remember, nobody is perfect. If somebody slips up, remind them that you are there for them. Try not to lecture or ridicule. Find the person you can confide in, vent to, and trust.

So, be compassionate. Share your struggles. (You might just find common ground with someone you never thought possible!) Provide a listening ear. Encourage. Lift up. Compliment. Invite. Try not to judge. Use your manners. And most importantly, smile. {Smiles are contagious after all!😉}

I'll start. Hi, nice to meet you. I'm Brandi. :)