Paul says 'I become all things to all people'.
"all things" and "all people" since there is such a great variety of cultures and people. Most of the time people similar to each other tend to hang out, but Paul hung out with people different from himself, becoming like those he hung out with, in order to save them.
I think I've hung out with 4-6 different social groups since I've been in this area, and it's really amazing how different each group is. Their activities, their conversation topics, social dynamics, jokes, how often they meet, what they are willing to share.. Some always have to hang out in a bar with beer and awesome music, some always in a house with a potluck, some in an artsy fashionable place downtown. And there's so many different types of conversations. There's the ones where you jokes about people you know, maybe tease them, maybe complain about family or your personal life. There's the kind that just talks about you and what you enjoy and the places you want to visit, and how you should all do it together; the focus is not about teasing but daily life conversation (usually over tea, usually with only other women). There's the small intimate groups where you just talk about the deep personal stuff/problems and the deep struggles of life. There are the groups that always have some inside joke going on, with outbursts of uncontrollable laughter, and someone is always sitting on someone else (same gender).
It is really wonderful to experience and befriend people from different cultures, heritage, families, educational backgrounds , economic statuses, with very different job industries, drinking habits, sexual lifestyles/experiences, etc.
I think a month ago, or maybe even 2 or 3 weeks ago, I had this belief -- or, rather, I was convinced that, I could only ever really get to know and really "click" with people like myself, specifically in terms of ethnicity, upbringing, religious beliefs, educational/familial background, ethnicity/culture of the people they have hung out with their entire life while growing up.
gah, anyway. Should not do too too much social analysis of my life---might hinder actually living it and going for it. Although I guess, the point of life is not just to have new experiences (like new social experiences or life experiences), but the point is Jesus and the Kingdom of God. Not sure what that means or looks like exactly in my life right now, but even the mention /thought of Jesus and the Kingdom of God changes my heart and thoughts and perspective.
