{"id":10698,"date":"2015-07-27T17:49:17","date_gmt":"2015-07-27T21:49:17","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/beginnersheart\/?p=10698"},"modified":"2015-07-27T17:49:17","modified_gmt":"2015-07-27T21:49:17","slug":"making-friends-with-at-work","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/beginnersheart\/2015\/07\/making-friends-with-at-work.html","title":{"rendered":"making friends with (at?) work"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"via<\/a>
via google<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Because of the upcoming move, I’ve scaled back on many activities I love, including several non-profits. Friday, the head of one I particularly enjoy asked if I was free for lunch.\u00a0Sure!<\/em> I responded — she doesn’t get to Tulsa that often.<\/p>\n

I didn’t even ask what she needed, assuming there was something she wanted to discuss in person. In fact, she had a small gift for me for my ‘service.’ Note: this is a group of such nice folks that they don’t have to ask more than once for people to help out — the group is just that nice.<\/p>\n

Not to mention it’s a great cause. And no, I’m not going to name them; it’s a violation of their privacy.<\/p>\n

They had a very cool mug for me, and wanted to pick my brain about some upcoming stuff they were considering. Not to sound insecure, but this is a bunch of very smart men & women, and to be asked to contribute in any way is a\u00a0huge<\/em> honour, at least in my book.<\/p>\n

Again — I don’t think I’m unconfident. I know I’m fairly bright, and that I often think outside the box. Which isn’t true for all academics. And that’s probably not a bad thing — we don’t need as many odd dreamers as we do folks who can follow directions. I CAN follow directions, but like w\/ a recipe, I’m always wondering, but what would happen if I did this? Or added this? Or…?\u00a0<\/i><\/p>\n

\"via<\/a>
via google<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

It’s a problem in some environments, I assure you. But it never has been for this crew, who made me feel welcome from day 1, and refused to accept my tentative (& immediate!) resignation, when I said I couldn’t really see how they could use me. Nope: they taught me to see strengths I really don’t think about having. Creativity, sure. But really? Who needs poetry at work? It turns out, though, that what powers poetry is a creativity that’s also useful in many brainstorming sessions.<\/p>\n

My dear\u00a0friends insist\u00a0they miss me, & that they were glad to see me. Plus,\u00a0\u00a0on a day when it was all I could do to roll out of bed & shower (this\u00a0\u00a0achey summer cold is sooo kicking my butt!), what a nice treat to walk in to a cool coffee house and have someone buy me a cold drink. AND bring\u00a0me a present! Who could ask for a nicer afternoon break?<\/p>\n

As I left, they were interviewing someone to join the ‘family.’ I didn’t stay — it wasn’t my place. But I wanted to tell him:\u00a0you do realise — these are just the NICEST folks? And that if you accept this job, you’ll have friends as well as colleagues?<\/em><\/p>\n

I figure he’ll find out soon enough. I did. \ud83d\ude42<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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