TheBanyanTree: Your Story

[Kitty Park]

I'm thinking that who we are and who we *think* we are may be very
different. In fact probably are.  Like sash, I'd be interested in reading
your stories, but wouldn't your own life experiences and personality affect
what you perceive in talking with others?  This complexity has me wanting
to take a nap!

And then I wonder how many times, after talking with a stranger for a few
minutes, you'd be ready to move on ... but he/she would not be ready to let
go of your sleeve.

Still, why not give it a try?  Your stories already have an audience!

Kitty
<mzzkitty at gmail.com>kcp-parkplace.blogspot.com
 <http://parkplaceohio.com>



On Mon, Dec 9, 2013 at 12:14 AM, Jim Miller <jim at maze.cc> wrote:

> It's evening here friends, and I've been thinking. Actually, it's kinds of
> tween evening and night. I worry about thinking too much. At my age,
> something will smoke.
>
> For the last 40 years, I have openly stated that I'm a voyeur. I'm
> fascinated by people. Out of curiosity, I may sit in a public place and
> watch for hours. Some move past in a flash, and I'm reduced to speed
> judgments. Others lounge about, back and forth, in and out of range,
> allowing time for deeper analysis. I like to create a persona and life for
> those that I observe. Because we never interact, I'm left with an
> unresolved curiosity. I can live with that, but I'd like to take it
> further.
>
> I frequently lament not becoming a psychiatrist. Then I would be sanctioned
> to probe unsuspecting minds. We are told that there are four primary
> personality types. Myers-Briggs breaks it down into 16. My thought: who
> cares except an intellectual trying to prove how smart he is. Reality is
> that, unless synapses are misfiring, each of us possesses portions of each
>  trait to varying degrees. Honest; I don't care how you tick. I simply want
> to know who you are.
>
> This brings me to my point. Each one of us is uniquely individual. Even DNA
> identical twins are unique in personality. It is that unique individuality
> that creates the attraction to other humans. I would like to know what
> makes you unique. Most likely, even you don't know, but I think that if
> appropriately stimulated, you  could postulate ideas.
>
> I've know many of you for nearly two decades. It would seem that we have
> shared much about ourselves. And yet, even within this intimate forum, we
> remain guarded. We never reveal our core. We keep much hidden from nearly
> everyone inside and outside the list. I'm no different, yet I find it
> extremely curious. True, in this context, we can't ever fully trust, yet
> some of the intimacies exposed would suggest that the shield has become on
> occasion translucent.
>
> This is what I believe; everyone has a story. Think about it. In the
> conglomeration of a live lived, there is a story that is you. There are
> bits and pieces shared with others, but it is your story and defines who
> your are. The majority of modern civilized humans are so engaged in
> survival, that they have never thought about who they are or considered why
> they have become who they are. I would like to tell people's story. Perhaps
> I will find it within me to share my story, should I ever fully identify
> it.
>
> People are fascinating. I have a compelling urge to walk up to complete
> strangers, introduce myself and ask if we can talk. I believe that I can
> gain trust and then find and identify their story. Most are not complex.
> Even in simplicity, they are what define the uniqueness of the individual.
> If told as a stand alone, they will be substantial and significant.
>
> What do you think?
>
> Jim
>