Come as you are

But you may not be accepted that way.

It goes in both directions. I've learned -- in particular over the last year or so -- that you can't and shouldn't try to change people.

The flip side? Those people may just not be people you want to share a lot of time with.

It's tough. That means you lose a lot of old friends who you've outgrown, or who've outgrown you, or just all-around it ain't working with any more. Then again, maybe it's better that way.