One thing about working in the newspaper business is that there’s no such thing as a comfort zone. There’s no such thing as the same ‘ole same ‘ole.

Sure there’s a routine to fall into, but each story is at least a little different. Given my personality, it’s a little strange that I like this line of work. I like to-do lists, planning, consistency. Also, I don’t really enjoy talking to people I don’t know.

But all that seems like a cakewalk after my most recent project. You may have noticed The Great Outdoors special section in Friday’s issue. Well, I coordinated all of that. Those of you who know me probably are laughing right now. Those of you who don’t, let me explain why that’s so funny.

If it involves water or football, I’ll suffer through hours outside. I sweated through three quarters of Bulldog football last Saturday with temperatures up in the 90s. I’ve done the same thing countless times on the beach with nary a complaint. But 99.9 percent of the time I spend outside is in transit back indoors.

There’s a number of reasons I use to try to rationalize my aversion. For starters, if there’s a mosquito within five miles, it will find me. And normal Off! doesn’t cut it. I have to use Deep Woods Off! Once after picking blueberries, I returned inside to have over 90 mosquito bites.

Another reason, I’m very hot-natured, and I’ll sweat at the drop of hat.

Now, I know I wrote a column a couple weeks ago about how I love the South, and I also know hunting and outdoors is part of the package. But, to be completely honest, the only gun I’ve ever shot is a toy gun.

So now you understand why my family’s first reaction when I shared that I had been put in charge of the Outdoors section was laughter. Luckily, other people at the paper had some good story ideas, and the articles I did write came with subjects that were willing to talk. One of the hardest things about writing on a topic you know nothing about comes from not knowing what to ask.

And it’s things like this that explain why I enjoy this job. I love to learn. Growing up, I was the weird kid that was ready to get back to school at the end of summer. I have a whole list of fun facts that would only ever be useful on a game show.

I also love sharing what I’ve learned. Writing in the newspaper is a pretty effective way to share that information.

My grandmother has said before that ignorance itself is not a bad thing; everyone is ignorant about one thing or another. Ignorance is only bad when you choose to remain ignorant. Learning about people different from yourself helps you to better understand yourself.

Sure, speaking to people who enjoy outdoors isn’t going to be life-altering, but it’s a concept that can be extrapolated. If we learn to work with people different than ourselves, we learn to be more understanding. We learn to combine our strengths and minimize our weaknesses. Society needs all types.

We need both lawyers and farmers. We need politicians and teachers. We need doctors and mechanics. I don’t know how to fix a car anymore than I know how to fix a broken leg.

While learning about coyotes may not be vital to my survival, it is important to step outside my own world. It is important to never forget to take a walk in someone else’s shoes every once in a while. It’s good for perspective. It’s good for empathy. It’s good for society. It’s just plain good.

So go out and talk with someone new. Learn something new. Get acquainted with a new perspective. And you just might learn something about yourself in the process.

Julia V. Pendley is the lifestyles editor of The Daily Leader. You may email her at julia.pendley@dailyleader.com or mail a letter to her at Julia V. Pendley, Lifestyles Editor, P.O. Box 551, Brookhaven, MS 39602-0551.