Roads Not Taken

You can look off to the right and see the "10 New Acquaintances" goal sitting there, as it did last year unfulfilled.

Fate's handed out a few opportunities to join things.

A group of guys plays cards once a month. I like to play games, including cards, really do. I also like having a chance to win, especially when real dollars are in play. If it had been some combination of a group of guys playing euchre for fun then I might have given it a shot. But they play a variety of card games so as a novice I'd be giving my money away, especially against a group of other actuaries and accountants. Then again, I already knew most of them, so it wouldn't necessarily contribute to a "new" acquaintance.

Then how about the group meeting regularly to play euchre for free that Dena heard about? Yes, but it was located in a bar. I actually have a good time with tipsy people, but my hearing and speaking struggle in overly loud atmospheres.

There was a Facebook invitation to join a Leadership group. I love to be around leaders, and the list of other members included some familiar faces that would be great to know better. The group seemed to be centered around God and good principles, another upbeat sign. Then I looked through some of the e-conversation that had transpired on the site. There was liberal sprinkling of the "one way to heaven" assertion that is distractingly close-minded to me. Hidden Bloggers know I'm daily thankful to God for blessings far beyond what I deserve, am interested in discussing the Bible (read cover-to-cover, actually) and its practical applications. I hope I find a group nearby that views it as other than a flawlessly accurate historical document and a guaranteed recipe for eternal happiness.

So these were close, like shirts that look great but are one size too small. Or maybe one size too big, because at least there's temptation to give it a try, that maybe I'll grow into it. If I hadn't been willing to do unpleasant things that I struggled with, then I'd have dropped out of basketball twenty years ago. Back then the choice was to play or to get a summer job. Here, it's to join or to fail to grow. At least for a while longer. Meanwhile, I'll sit in the blind and continue to hunt ambitiously for the right catch.