“Birds of a feather flock together,” goes the old saying. And it’s true that it can be a comfort to flock with those who are like you in some essential way: who share your politics, your theology, your particular minority status or your passion about gardening or dancing or Dr. Who.
What group of people do you particularly enjoy congregating with?
Actually, I’ve discovered that I really enjoy being with someone (usually not a group) who is willing to keep discussing a rather serious life problem with me. I don’t care if we agree or not but I do like to talk about a topic with someone who will listen when I respond occasionally with “Well, that’s something to consider” or “Well, I think I might try that out” or “Yep, I’ll keep thinking abut that more”. If a person gives me only her/his opinion in the conversation, then I give up and stop my part because I don’t think that we’re really going anywhere with what I call a discussion. I hope that the other responds in some of the ways that I mention above, too, so that we both go away from new ideas and new potentials.