I have Shane Claiborne’s The Irresistable Revolution on my ipod. This used to be one of my favorite books of all time.
Lately, it’s been popping up in my car while I’m driving and listening. So I thought, why not? Just because my belief system about God has changed doesn’t mean I can’t still enjoy the things I used to enjoy.
And it’s funny. The things he describes – how to treat people, for example - are all things that still jive with my own values. The only difference is that Shane says they do that for God or because of God, and I say I do that because it’s what’s right and good for humanity.
He’s still inspiring to me. I love to hear about the ways his organization, The Simple Way, has made a profound impact in his community. That’s still something I want to do. It’s why I work in the non-profit sector. I want to have significance in the world. I briefly touched on this in a previous post.
I have a new job. A new apartment. A new community. A new home. But I am still stuck in the same rut I was in back in Denver. Granted, now I spend LESS time in my hole, but that’s where I am when I’m not at work, or going to/from work. The nice thing is that my day is longer at work (I don’t get off til 5:30) and it takes me around an hour to get home usually (gotta love tunnel traffic). So by the time I get home, do dinner, and then FINALLY sit down to relax for the evening, it’s around 7. So my Medievia time is DRASTICALLY cut down (I can’t play from work anymore either). For some reason, this makes my mom ridiculously happy.
Still, I need to get out and meet people. I know this. But where would I do that? I’m not the type of person to go to a bar by myself. It just won’t happen. So I’ve actually been thinking about going to church… just so I can meet people around here.
But that idea isn’t the most appealing in the world to me, so I still feel stuck.
Suggestions?
Well, of course, I think going to church would be great. But…you might also see if they have an Ethical Society chapter there. For a year, while I tried to find a church I liked, I went to our Ethical Society. They have a lot of the same organizational features a church has…fundraisers for good works, concerts, smaller groups that do things.
Actually, you could visit both a church and the Ethical Society. It would make for some very good conversations.
Good luck, mandikaye.
techs suggestions:1) i am sure there is a secular humanist group near you. They are everywhere. Their membership consist of many people who have gone through similar journeys as you.2)you could try out the univ. units. I’ve never really been part of that but have had friends who have. Seems like a good bunch.3)what extra curricular activities do you like? hiking? Sewing? Roller Derby? Sailing? Join a club!4)book/movie club5) find friends of friends. My wife and I have had this work out for the better quite often. We ask a friend to hang out with a non-mutual friend. I met my wife this way.
6) should be getting warm there soon, if it is not already. Go to the park, read a book or walk around. See if people are doing interesting things and ask to join.
7) try to get on the board of a museum or gallery, you can help organize or be part of their events. Sometimes this costs some dough though.
Well i am being summoned. Be well.
crap, I even switched to IE, and it still wonked out!
Church is actually an okay idea to meet people. I was thinking of hitting up the Unitarian church around here.Honestly, it’s all about walking around on your own to places like bookstores, sitting in coffee shops with a computer, checking out the area’s libraries where they have free talks and stuff…joining a gym or yoga place…it’s hard to be open and friendly and up for ANYTHING but sometimes you gotta do that to meet people.Don’t worry about going to the bar alone. I would NEVER do that. We don’t live like Sex and the City. No matter how many ridiculous girls try to pretend that way….if we did, I’d be with a new hot guy every night.
Taekwondo? A book group?
I actually think it’s less important to pick something you like. The hard part is getting started – once you’ve got momentum, it’s easy to channel that into something you enjoy.
So if you really can’t find any great clubs, just find a bearable one and go for a week… then find another bearable one and go the following week… and so on. After a few weeks, I guarantee that you’ll find something to suit you.
Bear in mind that most people are basically friendly, decent and worth hanging out with. All you need is a way of breaking the ice.