The Value of Social Connections

It would be hard to overstate the value of the things I've learned from others, both online and off.  The thing is, even though I'm not particularly harsh on past me, and despite my issues getting along with other people, there are many ways in which I feel my own past self differs much more significantly to my present self than I feel that many of the people I know do.  Oh, I can see the similarities of my younger self to the person I am today, too, but for better or worse (and I believe and hope it's for the better), I've become a much different person than I used to be.  I think a big part of that was coming to realize just how little I actually know and understand in life, in both an intellectual and emotional way.  Coming to terms with that was difficult, because I was often told as a child how 'smart' I was, but I feel I've gained a lot by acknowledging and accepting my own limitations.  It is simply truth that none of us, no matter how brilliant, is an island, and none of us can properly develop our abilities to even a fraction of their full potential without input from others.  And even if we could, there would be so much lost if we never shared our abilities or insights with each other.

That's why, despite how difficult this has been and will be for me considering my various trust issues and certain past experiences, I want to be better at working with other people and maintaining friendships.