I can't think of an appropriate title

The staff enrichment committee I’m on is toying with starting up prayer partners among the staff here at work, at least trying it during Advent. Having recently become one for Advent LC, I’m really excited about this idea. Part of the committee’s purpose is to “make a contribution toward the enhancement of working relationships”. In the corporate world, I know this idea would never fly, but we have a unique situation here that we can embellish on.

Over the years I have worked here I have seen a lot of close, mostly interdepartmental, relationships which leads to a lot of segregation and separation amongst the staff. At gatherings it becomes a time of these small groups – generally from the same areas – gathering around their table and avoiding contact with anyone they don’t normally work with. It’s sad, though I know I did, and sometimes still do, it, too. There something comforting in being with the people you know and this prayer partner thing would directly contradict this notion. That appeals to me.

Maybe I’m an exception to this rule. I’ve come to not mind venturing out and getting to know other people in other sections. The last gathering we had I chatted with SR’s, library staff, faculty, child care, dean’s office…I basically mingled about while I know others just stayed where they felt the most comfortable. It’s not just in social situations either. I have been asked by countless others to talk to persons they aren’t comfortable with because they know I will do it and I “get along with them.” The latter isn’t necessarily true, but others think I do. Maybe it’s my “kill ‘em with kindness” motto that gets me in these situations.

I wish there was some way I could help others understand the need to have a different kind of relationship with their co-workers. I know that there are people in this world that you just wouldn’t want to have contact with outside of this place, but you still have to work with them. You don’t have to invite them to your wedding or kid’s bar mitzvah, but if you can’t tolerate them at all in a social setting, then why are you here?

This isn’t a new thought for me…there have been times, even recently, that I have just loathed this place and some the people here. But I also know that there are a lot more good people here, many I want to know better. Some are just quirky, some have interesting hobbies that I know I don’t know about, some are just downright nice people – I don’t want to miss out on an opportunity to get to know them just because it’s out of my comfort zone.

Then again, what is my comfort zone? I’ve always said I’m an introvert and I still say that today. I have to be an extrovert at work, due to the nature of my job, and sometimes I think maybe I go over the top just so I can fight past my flight nature to run and hide and get away from these crazy people. Instead I become one of the crazy people and I think that has helped me to grow immensely in figuring out who I am and who I want to be.

Of course my other fear is that I’m trying to make people into being how I am, with my ideals. What if I’m wrong? What if I’m coming off all Hitler-like? That wouldn’t be good.