This week's phrase comes from my favorite Christmas movie: It's A Wonderful Life.  After learning what life would be like if he had never been born, George Bailey learns the value of friendship. 

Thank YOU for being my friend!

To come out of your shell, is to become more friendly or sociable.

• It's time for North Korea to come out of their shell and join the modern world.
• It's taken me years, but I'm finally coming out of my shell and joining the mysterious world of the internet . . .  please be gentle.