Socializing comes very easy to some folks and yet to others it is a very difficult and trying event. I have always been told that I never meet a stranger, and I guess that is true. I can be anywhere and start a conversation with someone I don't even know. I've met some interesting people along the way, made some good friends and even been criticized by family.

If you will for a few moments that it takes to read this imagine yourself the opposite of how you socialize. You are or are not the overt or introvert, you are in fact the opposite, and you are the normal healthy average person. Life seems to become less complicated for those that are easy going, makes friends easily or does it? Life seems to be more complicated for those that are less out going doesn't it, afraid to ask for help, afraid to be rejected, or just afraid?

The normal is what? What do we consider normal? Are we normal? We have different illnesses that society would call us less than normal do we not? Yet, we still socialize to some extent, we still interact in one way or another on some level do we not? Yet there is still that factor of how easy or difficult it is to interact even when not been seen, as on the internet.

The internet has opened up a new line of communication for folks all over the world. We now communicate with people from different countries we never would have before. Is it easier for those that find socializing difficult? I think you would have to ask them. I do know that we often find ourselves not communicating as much, not because we are afraid of being rejected. I think it is more of limited time in the things we can accomplish.

What if our normal is four hours of physical activity in a day, would we want to spend an hour communicating online or with a family member or friend? We spend the rest of the time doing errands, cleaning or hobbies. Socializing is a very important aspect of our daily living. We need that interaction for support and a healthy mental status. However, we sometimes don't get to answer and post as much as we might.

This does not mean we do not care what happens to our online family, it means we have other things going on and can't get to all the posts. I can answer only for me when I say, I love each and everyone of you. I see a post where someone needs prayer and I say that prayer. I see a post where some one is hurting and I hurt for you. I just can't answer all the posts, the fatigue is overwhelming at times even with meds.

This is not an excuse, I'm just trying to tell you that people find it hard to socialize at times. It is not because they don't care, it is not because they are ignoring you, it is not because they don't like you. It is because they have a chronic illness that interferes with their life everyday.

If you are a person that finds it hard to socialize, please don't feel that you will be rejected if you post, or it won't get read or answered. Just post it anyway...Colonel Sanders was turned down over 200 times before he got an answer. Be a Colonel Sanders!! You never know that what YOU post might help someone else. Just because you think it is not important does not mean it might not be to someone else. (Don't know how to spell Colonel...hope its right lol) Spelling can also go with a chronic illness, I used to be able to spell any word you could ask. So don't let that stop ya either!!

Socializing with a chronic illness can be difficult but it is not impossible and you never know...you just might make a friend or two.