Insulation isn't always a good thing.

I have a tendency to withdraw from the world, to insulate myself. I'm very happy staying home and spending time with my family. My friends have usually been neighbors or parents of my son's friends and they are really more acquaintances than real friends. Even those I consider real friends are usually people I don't see or speak to frequently. I keep in touch mostly via computer. I don't reach out or make the first move, either in making new friends or maintaining old friendships.

That's been changing a bit in the past year.

A wonderful woman decided she wanted to be friends with me. She reached out to me. She called me, e-mailed me, included me in plans, invited me and my family out. Through her, I've met other wonderful men and women as well. Her friendship has helped me to feel that I'm worth being a friend and to actually seek out the company of others beside my family. I've found a church that I love and have joined the Bible study group. I've gone back to Weight Watchers and actually participate. I've joined the Heritage Crafters Gallery at the Lynchburg Community Market where I've met some really interesting and talented men and women. Because of her, I've stepped outside of my comfort zone.

Why am I singing her praises today? I just came home from the funeral of the husband of another amazing woman that my friend had introduced me to. It was kind of an awakening for me. I realized that if my husband dies before me, I don't want to be alone with nobody except family to care about me or comfort me or include me. I want to have friends to socialize with months after my husband, my best friend, is gone. I'm not being morbid. He's a few years older than me and statistics say that he will probably go first. I've been very happy with his company and his friendship for almost 30 years, but maybe that isn't enough anymore, as we get older. It's even more important to establish a support group of friends, not just acquaintances, now that we are living 600 miles away from where we spent most of our lives.

It's funny. A mutual love of making jewelry is how I met my friend. It's what kept us connected in the beginning of our friendship. Now, I think, we've developed a true friendship and other friendships have grown from that initial meeting, both directly and indirectly. So, while insulation may be a good thing for your home, maybe it's not the best way to live your life. Are you insulated from others? Do you have a strong support system outside of family? If tragedy were to strike would you have people to turn to? Not just today or next week, but 6 months from now? If the answer is no, maybe you should consider joining me on my quest to lessen the insulation around me, step out of my comfort zone, and reach out to others.

What will you do this week to take the first step towards making new friends?