June 6, 2010
Several months ago I read that if you are the smartest person in your group of friends, you need a new group. I looked around and thought, “I need a new group.”
I sought out people who were further in their career than I. I sought out people who were more published than I. I sought out people who held higher degrees than I. I began taking my daily dose of Flaxseed oil so I could keep up with all these really smart people.
I thought I was hanging pretty good. But, this week made me question whether or not my new friends aren’t looking around thinking, “Hey, I’m the smartest person in this group, maybe…”
First I was discussing a “delicate” work related problem with a colleague when he asked if I was in my office alone. “Thanks for the vote of confidence. Yes, I’m alone.”
That was my first clue.
Then my master’s in philosophy friend sent me an email referring to “like so-and-so did” then followed it up within seconds to articulate fully which so-and-so action he was referring to, because obviously his trust in my ability to deduce what he meant was meager.
That was my second clue.
Then I posted what I thought was a witty response to a Facebook post, only to be schooled. Apparently I had posted a pun, which was redundant since the original post was the pun. Duh! Okay,so maybe my powers of deduction…
That was my third clue.
I do try to keep up with my friend’s expectations. Like when one girlfriend pointed out how the light fixture didn’t match the room at all, I made a point to refurbish it to match the rest of the decor. Of course, that friend hasn’t been over since. Strange…
Or my friend who wondered why my swimming pool was so freezing. After I explained the amount of shade the pool got and the elevation my house was at, I decided to solve the problem and buy a solar blanket to warm that pool up. Of course, that friend hasn’t bee over since either. Hum…
I wonder, are my friends looking around thinking, “I need some smarter friends”?
It’s a dilemma. Do I make my smart friends feel smarter by being me? Or do I make me feel smarter by hanging around all my regular friends? It seems like my smart friends are too smart to stick around as my friends for long anyway.
I’m hoping the universe provides me with my next set of instructions about this smart and not-so-smart friend dilemma.
And, now all my friends are thinking,”Hey, which friend am I?”
Well, I am smart enough not to tell, so don’t even ask.
This week I will relish all my friends, those who make me feel smart and those who make me feel like I have much still to learn in this world.
