Take this week’s poll. Read the question carefully.
This week, you only get to choose one: Your best answer. Did you pick your answer? Good. Let’s examine your choice.
Really? Did you take the poll? Do it now. You will understand in just a few minutes why I want you to take it before you read any more.
(Now located at the bottom of the post. Take before you read.)
Stranger in Your Midst
If I walked up to you on the street and extended my hand, asking, “Who are you?” how would you describe yourself to me, a complete stranger? (And for those of you who know me, you know I am stranger than most, so the question still applies to you!)
Hello, my name is John Q. Public.
Do all strangers begin with their names? Is this where our identity rests? Do we trust our parents enough to believe they chose the best name for us? Do we offer our name in hopes it will deter other questions?
I am [state your religion].
Are you proud to be a Catholic? Maybe you are a Child of God? Are you a devout Muslim? Maybe you are an Orthodox Jew? Are there any Druids in the house? How about the atheists?
Does your relationship with (or without) a higher power define who you are to yourself and others? Does Acquaintance understand what it means to be a member of your faith?
I am a [state your occupation].
Does your job exemplify who you are at the core? Are you always a firefighter? Do you practice law 24 hours a day? Is being a law enforcement officer fundamentally who you are? Can you state with certainty your occupation is the best descriptor of your life? Has it changed over time?
I am [state familial position].
What position defines you? Are you the proud Papa? Maybe you are Grandma? Is your primary descriptor Momma? Maybe you are the Big Brother? Or are you Baby Sister? Are you happily married Mate?
If this was your choice, is your position in the family so stable this is a lifelong moniker? Or have you been displaced at some point? Will you outgrow this definition?
I am [list qualities].
Are you honest or an accomplished liar? Do you have courage and charisma? Maybe you are compassionate and kind? Are you Alpha or submissive? Perhaps you are protective or oppressive?
How often have you not felt playing this part? Have you ever abandoned a quality to pursue your own au moment happiness, fulfillment or satisfaction?
I am unemployed.
Or are you full time? Are you on salary? Maybe you are an entrepreneur? Or CFO of a Fortune 500? Are you seeking your break-in position in your industry while doing something you find disdainful until you do?
Did you bring a copy of your latest three (3) tax returns as validation? Does your gross income define who you are? How do others receive or respect this descriptor? How often has this position changed?
I am a lifelong [insert political party].
Do you embody all of the platforms? Do you agree without reservation to what the party does? Do you support all its candidates? Vote for all its drafted laws? Are you always in agreement with its leaders and actions? Do you decorate with the party mascot? Does Acquaintance know enough of the real story behind your party to understand this identity?
Disinterested
Not into meeting new people? Afraid to reveal yourself? Uncomfortable giving information to strangers? Protecting your identity and the innocent? What makes you recoil from such a basic question?
Not Even Close?
Are you something else entirely? What is it? How does it translate to your new acquaintance?
~~~~~~~~~~
You only got one: Why did you choose that one?
~~~~~~~~~~
Alexandra Heep
/ December 17, 2011Hah! The answer, my dear, will be a blog post of mine.
Red
/ December 17, 2011Good! I think it is a fab idea! Red.
Red
/ December 26, 2011Here is Alex’s post: http://aheepofeverything.blogspot.com/2011/12/how-do-you-describe-yourself.html
Alexandra Heep
/ December 17, 2011Well, I wasn’t trying to take away from your blog or copy, but … writing the answer as a blog was a compulsion I could not ignore. It will be up shortly.
Red
/ December 17, 2011You can press it if you like 😉
Alexandra Heep
/ December 17, 2011Uhm, what does press mean? I am not on wordpress or whatever this place is.
Red
/ December 17, 2011Ahhh PFT. I forgot. All of yours are on Blogspot….
awarewriter
/ December 17, 2011I would describe myself as a spiritual being because that’s what I am and it has NOTHING to do with religion. Sorry for shouting but too many people confuse spirituality and religion (bet you don’t Red).
Spirituality is being in communion with your true self and the universe. Religion (IMHO) is old men interpreting the word of God because the faithful are too stupid. Religion is thou shalts and swords and spears and my god is the one true god so I must kill you. Religion is all about control of and power over others.
Spirituality is control of self.
I had my fill of Irish Catholic Religion back in the 1950s and early 1960s. Sister ‘I’ll beat the crap out of you’ Marie, scaring the pants off seven year old children, telling them they must confess their sins or suffer eternal damnation in hell. And to think I was a pious (and scared) little altar boy once.
John
Red
/ December 17, 2011Glad you grew out of that! And no, I don’t. I had my fill of religion at the tender age of 17 at an Episcopalian (read Catholic Lite) prep school. Tete-a-tetes with my British headmaster led down the sorts of paths which made his wife and secretary wonder why I called him by his first name.
Attn, peanut gallery, get your heads out of the sewer. It is a verse in Matthew 23 which led us to the understanding.
And self-control is the freeing of the soul.
Red.
Phil
/ December 17, 2011Hi, my name is Phil.
I like to keep it at that upon immediate introductions and let the conversation and mutual discovery process take place naturally. I enjoy asking the questions myself, rather than having someone presume what I want to know. I likewise prefer to be asked about things that might describe me better than simply presuming what information others may immediately want to know or even care about for that matter. Simplicity is best.
Red
/ December 17, 2011I like simple, but there is nothing truly simple about me…except maybe my temper. Don’t tick me off…simple. Excellent point about volunteering a whole bunch of gradu no one give a flip about in the first place. Lots of assumptions necessary to blurt out the life story as it were.
Red.
Phil
/ December 17, 2011And now you’ve given me a tidbit to follow up with in our introduction. Delightful! What kinds of things would tick you off?
Red
/ December 17, 2011Try the second and third Saturday Evening Posts for the basics. Other than that I have about 8,461 pet peeves. 😉 You know, I am perfectly normal! Red.
Angela Young
/ December 17, 2011People we don’t know – generally get “Hi, I’m [insert name]. Can’t figure out why you would tell a total stranger anything else [except as part of conversation after names as Phil suggests].
Next others usually find out that I am a Christian. It is not my religion, it is my relationship with my God and it defines me more than anything else.
After that – GRANDMA! That is my favorite moniker! When I hear my 20 mo screaming that beautiful name at the top of her lungs when she spies me coming in — priceless and something I hope to never outgrow 🙂
Anything else is just one part of who I am, or really not who I am, but who I am to [insert name] which varies at times.
I actually have an identity story that I’m guessing will soon become a blog post of my own (with a link back here to get people started). Thanks again Ann Marie:)
Red
/ December 17, 2011You know that is always the best for me! I love when you come here and leave with an idea for your space 😉 Alex is busy with hers now. I will be interested to see where this leads tomorrow. Red.
Alexandra Heep
/ December 17, 2011Oh, I posted it over an hour ago, and I linked to your post.
Red
/ December 17, 2011On the way! I have not gotten the pingback yet….Silly blogger. PFT.
Red
/ December 17, 2011Heep of everything? Where is it?
Rachael Black
/ December 17, 2011Wonderful question.
I completely judge those less fortunate people who define themselves by status, occupation of money. Or religion. Or car.
Cretins.
Humbly Yours,
Miss R
Red
/ December 17, 2011No humility needed here, Miss R. And you are in good company on that front. R.E.A.L.L.Y. good company. Glad to see you this fine evening! Red.
Miss Demure Restraint
/ December 17, 2011Mommy taught me never to talk to strangers! 🙂
Red
/ December 17, 2011So good to see you, Miss Dee! You win!
Loved your last post. So, they do not make your dryer in a battery-operated variety, eh? 😀 Red.