You do not always need to be the life of the party, but you do want to practice it. After a while, whether you feel like it or not, you will have the good habits necessary to continually be the fun person that people want around.
I went through something similar when I was starting out. What made me realize the above was when female friends of mine would constantly ask me to go to the bar with them and their friends. They would say I always made them have fun. I had learned these good habits without even realizing it.
A few things I would have told myself when starting out: You don't have to be the center of attention at all times, allow others to have the floor. When you see the opportunity to do something fun, run with it, if it doesn't work out shrug it off. No one can be "In State" at all times.
Sometimes all it takes to be the life of the party is doing something goofy and playful, like starting a peanut fight, just as the mood of the group goes down a little.
Best of luck.
_________________
Sincerely,
Jack Sunday

sexwithagirl.blogspot.com