Opening Up

I’m a bit of an introvert.

A few years ago, I was talking to an English tutor from London.

“You Westerners are very private and don’t easily engage in deep conversations, right?”

“That’s a stereotype. Actually, how deep you can get into a conversation with others isn’t about them, but about how open you’re willing to be.”

I was surprised by this answer.

In the past, I would share my annual thanksgiving list on my WeChat public account and blog. It counted as a sort of year-end summary. This year is a bit different. Besides my usual record and sharing, I prepared a carefully formatted graphic brochure for some close friends. Through this personal booklet, I hope to share my year with church brothers and sisters, family, friends, and former colleagues, and testify to God’s grace in my life and my family’s. I also hope it keeps me in deeper contact and communication with former friends, especially those in China.

After sending the booklet to about forty or fifty friends, I got various responses. Some friends sent thanks and blessings; some immediately borrowed the idea and shared their year summary with me; others said they would borrow the idea to share with their friends. Some church brothers and sisters sent me their 2024 thanksgiving lists and prayer requests. Of course, some friends didn’t respond at all.

Not getting feedback from some friends did make me feel a bit down, but I’m still thankful that God gave me the experience and ability to do this. Sharing the booklet is my way of opening up. Besides close friends, I intentionally shared it with some friends I’m not that close to. When I decided to share with them, it meant I was opening up (I want to know you more), and they were free to respond as they wished. There’s no real cost, just the need for some mental preparation.

I think this is also a way for me to practice “love your neighbor as yourself.”