The lesson that eleviates the guilt

Ever run in to someone that you used to be friends with? I'm not saying someone that you've come to be mortal enemies with, but someone that you just drifted away from. Maybe they moved, maybe you both changed. Either way, you don't hang out with them now.

Almost every single time that I run into someone I used to be friends with, this exact conversation occurs.

1 "Hi! It's been so long. How are you?!"
2 "Good! Wow, it has been forever. How are you?!"
1 "Good! We really should get together and catch up sometime. Maybe lunch?"
2 "Yeah! That's a great idea. Send me a message on Facebook sometime."

And then, after all that, you invariably never send or receive a Facebook message, and nothing comes of it.

What's the problem you ask?

I feel extremely guilty about the whole thing! I'm sure I'm not alone in that either, although I recognize that I have much higher levels of anxiety than other people.

BUT, here is my solution. DON'T have that conversation. I know it's simple, but it has taken me until last week to learn this life lesson. Instead, here is the conversation that should occur.

1 "Hey! Wow, it's been forever. How are you?"
2 "Great, busy with blah blah, what about you?
1 "Also great, working at blah blah."
2 "Man, remember the time we blah blah blah?"
1 "Haha yes, man we had fun back then."
2 "Definitely. Well, it was really nice to run into you. Have a nice day!"

See how easy that is? No empty promises, no guilt.

The alternative solution is to continue with the status quo and just cut out your heart and lose your feelings.

Mine seems a bit less drastic though, no?