I'm not your Parent. I'm not your Best Friend. And I'm not your friendly Co-worker.
So I'm just going to go ahead and break it to you: You're Weird.
And "No." You're not the exception to the rule.
But are you ready for the surprise ending?
So is everyone else.
I can't quite place my finger on it -- that surreal moment when that Truth settled on me, became a familiar friend.
Was it when I found out that The Office Extrovert, who could have a conversation with a tree, struggled with developing meaningful relationships that last outside of work? I'm not sure.
Was it when I found out The Office Beauty, who stunned with her clothes and evoked envy with her smile, struggled with her age and finally decided to move to another City to get a fresh start? I don't know.
Was it when I found out The Quiet IT Nerd, who spoke in choppy sentences and couldn't maintain eye contact, was a connoisseur of coffee and admired classic literature? Couldn't tell ya.
Was it when you found out that me, The Nice Guy, who tries to include everyone in the conversation and interrupts bullies before they get into their element, has to rehearse his thoughts 3-times over before opening his mouth and hates the inevitable connection he makes with those he stands up for (but considers it his duty, so he continues the dichotomy)?
The Truth is that "normal" is a lie. We all have our secrets. We all have our Sisyphean struggles.
Yet, those are the elements that make up our character. Those are the reasons I go through the multiple iterations in my head to come up with the perfect conversation starter.
Because I find you interesting.
I don't want to talk to you about your finances being in order. I don't care that your children make straight A's. I don't ca.... wait, you compulsively wash your hands and have a side business making Kettle corn?
Let's talk :)
Very nice observation, Josh. I try to maintain this view myself, that all people have various *weird* aspects of their personality beyond the public persona they project. And that these aspects are what make each of us unique and, by extension, so interesting!
ReplyDeleteAlso, having this insight makes it easier to sympathize even with people whom, on the surface, you may think you have nothing in common with. Your post reminded of this. Thanks!
And ... welcome back to blogging! :)
Thanks David! Exactly the encouragement I needed :) I was doing a "soft entry" back into the blogosphere, so it was very nice that A) you read the entry, and B) commented on it :)
ReplyDeleteAnd your comments are spot on. Conversely, I use this when someone is being inordinately rude or brash on the surface. That actually draws me in, because I know there's something deeper going on. Inevitably, when I start talking to them, it comes out .... divorce, parenting problems, financial problems, etc. etc. etc. Just a good perspective to keep in general.
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ReplyDeleteI appreciate your angst attitude... yet, how old art thou, me wee lad? You sound very much like a liberal who supports the carnage of babies in the mother's womb. You sound like you worship the whorizontal, too. Gitt o'er it, son: 1-outta-1 croaks and if you aint ready to meet your Maker... whoops. But, yet, I hope Jesus shall give unto thee a secondXaround as He did with me.
ReplyDeleteGrow-up, dude. Literally. Figuratively. And reach for the stars: this earth holds absolutely NTHN which is worth your indelible soul. Have I made myself clear, private?? God bless you.
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