Member-only story
Chrissy is a chemist, John an electrician, Helen a graphic designer.
But is that their story?
Not at all.
Chrissy may have come up with a new and more efficient way to turn seawater into the potable kind — but does that define her?
It could.
But is she artistic, generous, loving, courageous? Is she dependable as a friend?
Is she capable to stand up to authority? Does she have extreme political views?
Where does she stand on our racial divide?
There has been more than one Nobel prize winner who’s been found to support anti Black views. And in each instance, it detracted from what had thrust them into the limelight.
How do you do? What do you do? is an overly narrow way to face the world.
Expedient? Yes. A way to quickly assess if the other is worthy of further interest, if it is safe to proceed and to our advantage.
But the more open approach gives each party more time to evaluate the other and so enlarge our people knowing abilities.
It humanizes us.
The impulse to quickly categorize is strong.
To resist such impulse is an invitation to sharpen our judgment, expand our awareness, practice our boundary setting. In short, to make ‘people knowing’ an adventure that could yield pleasant surprises.
To resist categorizing someone in a two minute conversation is to give our humanity a chance for enhancement.
Don’t have time for it?
Let me ask you this. Would you like to be dismissed quickly?
I don’t think so.
So…
