Go Anyway

This time of year social gatherings are frequent and, at times, all consuming. People already are groaning at the mention of another party. My own border line cynical opinion is that one reason parties start sooner and sooner each year is to better the chances for the party giver to host a festive occasion BEFORE everyone is fried with too much fun at too many get togethers.

Parties are great, but too much of anything can be, well, too much. Whether it be too much food, too much drink, too much tolerating too many conversations you would just as soon avoid, too much fuss about playing the social games, or maybe just too much genuine fun, around too many friends, too many times, too late at light, which makes us too tired and too cranky the next day because we DID NOT GET TOO MUCH SLEEP... regardless of what's going on in your world, remember you are wonderfully networked with, for the most part, wonderful people. Unfortunately, this time of the year catches the brunt of our attempts to enjoy these friendships.

This cram course of socializing is taxing, but think of it as investments for the new year in connecting with people who care about you and whom you care about. The temptation will be to configure some lame alibi for not attending the next party. That is understandable, but in the long run, it might be wise to go anyway. Our friends put in an enormous amount of work (and money) to provide a time of enjoyment and our attendance is much appreciated. (I'm putting as possible a spin on this as I can, because I am fully aware, Oh, am I fully aware! of those few people who put on the ritz in a usually pathetic attempt to impress.) Even in the midst of reasons not to go, go anyway. Your friends are worth it. How long one stays is a matter of discretion, but go anyway. Many people would love to have the opportunity to be invited to even one of the many parties we go to. Don't take that for granted. Go.