The Company You Keep

                
Have you ever noticed how your life has similar patterns as your peers?  There are studies showing obese people have friends who struggle with the same weight issues (if you're a man!). In my social circle, a lot of people are getting married, and moving on to have children a couple years later.  eHarmony.com stated on a morning show that we look for mates with similar values, ideals, views and interests. One woman had been rejected three times from eHarmony and the only time she passed was after taking Percocet. When asking if it had to do with the "Do you find life meaningless at times" question, she received the explanation that it isn't how you respond to one question-she was a complex thinker, and the tests are not geared for those types of people. (In case you're wondering, she answered that she was a woman which made life meaningless about once a month...) Furthermore, the representative added that this is not to say that people who use dating websites are simple-minded. Perhaps complex minds are just less compatible with others?

I haven't been on these sites myself but do you imagine there are diverse options presented? They say opposites attract. Other people find that similar is better in the long-haul. There are times where I can admire a couple who is thought of as one unit because they are so alike. On the other hand, I think that dating someone with differences may be more rewarding because of the various challenges that arise as lessons in compromise and communication. Would you rather find someone to complement you, or someone who understands? I guess they are not mutually exclusive.

I think I have a wide variety of friends, in all colors, shapes, sizes, ages, educational background and classes. Those are seemingly very superficial things to me. Those who are closest to me can express what's on the inside in terms that I can relate with (like an open mind). I surround myself these days with a lot of family, and I think it identifies me as a person dedicated to long-term growth in my relationships. It's neat how a family can continue to grow and multiply. As for work, the only people I interact with daily are my patients, who on the surface are nothing like me and sometimes don't even speak the same language. But I love that I never know what to expect.  I like different people because I would rather learn from thousands of experiences than the only one I have been given for this journey.