I'm getting better at recognizing when a situation calls for communication. Basically, any time I feel awkward around someone, that's when I need to talk to them. There's something unspoken that needs to come out and be understood.

I realized this when one girl (I call her a girl because she's only 17) wanted to get a ride up to a dance venue tonight. I was reluctant to even respond to her message. Eventually I did, and told her I could give her a ride, but then I felt annoyed. I thought about it, and found that I was looking forward to just driving up by myself.

Recently, I use the time in the car to just meditate, clear my mind, and focus on the sounds and noises that the car is making: the wind whipping past the car, the tires rolling against the road, and other cars going past. I focus on being in the moment, and it makes me alert. It also clears my mind so that I can think about any problems or issues that arose previously, and then I can search for any reasons why, or come to a logical plan of action.

So I told her that I may be quiet because I like to ponder things while driving. She said she was glad I told her, and that she could just listen to her ipod and zone out or something. After that, I really eased up and wasn't so annoyed by her any more.

I think this was a very important realization for me, and now I'm on the lookout for those feelings of being annoyed, or bottled up, or awkwardness, and then I can ask myself what's actually wrong. Then I can communicate it and get rid of any stress there may have been or will ever be.

This will take some time to get good at, but the good thing is that I can practice this now with the people around me.