Editor’s Note: This is a guest post by Art Decker.
“Getting to know yourself” has become a billion-dollar industry. Self-help books have carved quite a niche out of it. Myers Briggs and countless others reap quite a profit every year from people like me who hope to “find themselves” by plugging some information into a magic formula and then expecting to look over to the other side of the equation to discover who we really are. But is it really that simple?
All the fuss got me to thinking that the whole self-evaluation thing is maybe a tad overrated. And that if you are finding it difficult getting to know yourself, then maybe the answer just might be to start looking outward instead of inward. In other words, perhaps some of the time we spend reflecting could be put to better use living and engaging.
“In my walks, every man I meet is my superior in some way, and in that I learn from him.” — Ralph Waldo Emerson
Learning about others just may be the best way to learn about ourselves. One of the most obvious ways to gain perspective about others is to travel. The opportunity to explore disparate geographies, experience distinctive cultures and subcultures, and encounter engaging and perhaps even conflicting ideals is bound to broaden one’s horizons. But travel is expensive, and not an option for everyone.
Reading widely is less expensive, and no doubt enormously enriching. But you can also get your nose in a book – and, ironically, while “learning about life” you may be simultaneously avoiding it.
What got me thinking about all of this was a chance encounter with a client several months ago. Having just moved from South Africa, he was storing his polo gear in one of our units. We got to talking and I learned more about his country and the continent of Africa in 30 minutes than I ever knew before then. How incredibly valuable, I thought afterwards. It was almost like taking a course at Harvard (except much less expensive!).
I couldn’t stop thinking about it for hours and on my drive home that Thursday evening (by the way, driving is my brainstorm/reflection time) I made a resolution. It was based on my epiphany that I had been severely missing out on an incredible opportunity. I vowed to meet a stranger every day. So, you’re thinking, “Big deal… strangers come into your facilities all day, every day.” So I added a caveat: the stranger had to be from outside of my work environment. And that would be my challenge! At this point I hit the brake, noticing that I had picked up speed in my car as I got lost in the beauty of this new experiment!
Since that Thursday evening, I’ve used the challenge to myself as an opportunity to meet some amazing people. And what I want to share are a few of their stories and how they have not only made me more aware of who I am but also have helped transform the person I used to be into a much richer and more substantive me. (And yeah, the names are changed to protect my new friends.)
Stranger One: “Hank”: On a street near my house, they have been repairing a faulty sewer main and a slightly older gentleman holds the “SLOW” sign to signal to the cars passing by. I had driven past a few times, always noticing his rather pleasant demeanor and smile, so the day the sign actually read “STOP,” that’s what I did, and rolled down my window. It was a quick conversation, but I learned that Hank had moved from Washington State where he was involved in auto glass repair. He had lived there for 35 years before moving here for the weather with his traveling companion Charlie, an old lab who sat in the truck off to the side every day making sure Hank never left his sight. Stopping to talk to Hank, I realized I was actually a tad jealous of his simple life and loyal friend. Some of us spend a lifetime looking for that.
Stranger Two: “Bobby”: There is a homeless man who hangs out on the corner near my morning caffeine infusion. I had passed him countless times; he sadly had almost become a fixture in the background to the extent that I considered him nothing more than part of the scenery. A few days into my new commitment I decided to stop, despite the fact that it was a particularly busy morning. But this was important! I bought an extra black coffee and offered it as a friendly gesture. Turns out Bobby had owned a small landscaping business, and had loved his work, but he suffered an injury on the job that required an operation. The injury was treatable, but the surgery was exorbitant and unaffordable. And slowly but surely, his clients began to disappear, causing “Bobby” to hit rock bottom. I saw from “Bobby” that life can turn around in an instant; we can lose strength in an instant and money can seem to evaporate. It hit me when I left that I needed to focus on the things I could not lose, and those things cost not a penny and require not an ounce of strength. (By the way, “Bobby” and I enjoy a cup of coffee at least once a week now.)
Stranger 3: “Courtney”: As I was waiting at the train station on my way to visit my sister, my train became delayed because of the inclement weather. A middle aged woman who was waiting for the same train sat down fairly close by. She was dressed in a sharp looking black dress but soaked from head to toe — absolutely drenched. I had an extra coat and offered it to her. She politely refused my offer but we started chatting. Turns out she was dressed up to visit her child but sadly the locale of the visit was a graveyard. Somehow this incredible mother had found good in a terrible tragedy almost ten years past. She now lived on the other side of the country but came back each year on the anniversary to visit her boy and add a new plant to where he lay. Enough time had passed that she was able to talk a bit about it and she shared with me how she had used the accident to propel her forward in her life. She realized that she couldn’t control time or tragedy but she could control her decisions and her effort to make something happen. She had moved east, and opened a flower shop in a small coastal town, and spent her life brightening the days of others.
Stranger 4: “Anita”: The cashier at my local pharmacy does something quite rare. She looks every customer in the eye. Never having conversed much with Anita, I decided to compliment her on this well received trait. She told me why she did it and I will never forget her words. She said “I don’t know where these people came from and I don’t know where they are going. I just want to make sure that at least one time today, somebody looked at each of those people as if they were a human being.”
I met countless others and continue to meet them. It’s almost overwhelming because there are literally new strangers coming into my little corner of the world every second, but it’s also inspiring and incredible. Without a text book, without a plane ticket, without really much effort at all, I’ve gained more insight and traveled further than ever before.
And, I’ve also gotten to know someone I never knew that well before — myself.
About the author: Art Decker is a division manager with Self Storage Company, which operates a group of websites, including a California self-storage locator. Though busy, Art enjoys meeting new people and clients when traveling to sites, like San Francisco or the Los Angeles self-storage center.
Adrienne says
Hi Art, I really appreciate the perspective you offer here! It’s kind of crazy, because I think this is something I knew intuitively at one time and somehow lost sight of. Back in college, some of my favorite experiences were those chance encounters with random strangers. Three of the most memorable for me were: a homeless man stuck out west, who was desperately trying to get back east. His story of loss and falling out with his family were heartbreaking. Another was a hooker I met on a drunken night on my way back to a hotel. Before you jump to any crazy conclusions, I’m female and I was with a guy friend of mine, and we were merely chatting. Here story of how she ended up in her line of work was very interesting, and she also showed us where the locals go for the best hot dogs in Vegas. :) The third was a guy i sat by on a plane. He worked in a band on cruise ships. He opened up his laptop and I was whisked around the world with him as he showed me some of the most incredible pictures I’ve ever seen.
Ironically, I started a journey of self-reflection a few years ago, one that has taken me to some incredible places within myself; however, sometimes it feels that I’m just wandering further and further down the rabbit hole. What’s funny is, I’m now also an MBTI-certified facilitator and grad student in psychology! I definitely see a lot of value in tools and self-reflection, but as with all things in life, there must be a balance. Perhaps I’ve been wandering in the rabbit hole for too long, and missing out on some of life’s best teachers…
I love the stranger-a-day challenge – thanks so much for this!
Shannon says
Fantastic on so many levels! Loved this so very much, and will take the lessons learned, and start the practice in my life. Thanks, Art. You are an incredible person.
Jared says
One of your best blogs to date brother!
Tom Sörhannus says
How very simple it can be to get such big experiences. And how many people miss this opportunity just because they refuse to talk to strangers. It also requires a bit of awareness to get the message every new human being bring to us. How often do we talk to other people not reflecting on what they said because we are so occupied with our own thoughts?
Arlen Pauler says
This post and the comments are a great Mindfulness Reminder. Not only to be mindful that much of who we are is revealed only in our interaction with fellow Human Beings; but also to be mindful of the value of being enrolled in the school of Life.
I think you are right on Tom; we often miss out on a lot by not being aware and present with our fellow Human Beings. Life provides a wonderful curriculum for autodidactic Self discovery as well as the study of Human nature in general. We often forget to be present and awake to relish and learn from the direct experience right in front of us; a kind of Zen and the art of Self discovery.
No where is this quality of mindfulness more rewarding and vital to our Well-Being than in our interaction with our fellow Human Beings.
Great stuff; thank you all for the reminder.
Have a fun and rewarding day, Arlen.
High Point Consulting
[email protected]
highpointconsulting.net
Be mindful of the difference you really want to make.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autodidacticism
Jerry Kolber says
Love this post Art – reaching out to people you don’t know to make new connections – especially when it’s beyond the comfort zone – is so rare now.
I agree that “getting to know yourself” is over-rated and over-sold, but the thing that gets lost in the shuffle (because it’s not as sexy, because it ultimately is NOT about self) is “revealing your true self” – a worthwhile pursuit that Jonathan has written about beautifully here in the past.
Keep up meeting the strangers. Rock out!
Jenny says
Great idea!I think I’m going to try and do the same thing now, to meet a stranger every day. Life is all about connections! Also, you can learn something from everybody you meet if you just open your eyes.
Kent @ The Financial Philosopher says
Good points. There is a bit of a wonderful paradox here: Speaking with different people makes us aware that we are the same; making connections helps us understand that we already connected.
Consider these quotes from Jiddu Krishnamurti’s book, This Light in Oneself:
“Throughout the world, people are psychologically similar. That’s a reality, that’s truth, that’s an actuality. So you are the world psychologically, and the world is you; and when you understand yourself you are understanding the whole human structure and nature.”
“Your brain, which is the brain of all human beings, evolved through immemorial time, conditioned by cultures, by religions, by economic and social pressures. That brain has had a timeless continuity till now, and in that duration it has found a sense of being safe. That is why you accept tradition because in tradition there is safety, in imitation there is safety, in conformity there is safety. And there is also safety in illusion.”
Usama says
Fascinating thoughts. Grab any opportunity from which you can learn because that’s what makes you stronger.
Thanks
Chris Ginsburg says
I really enjoyed your article. I too have learned and remembered some of my most valuable lessons from strangers. There is absolutely no substitute to living life. Becoming consumed with the inner self is far too often used as an excuse to allow fear to dominate our lives.
Buy Avapro says
Good Article
heathermmcmullin says
This article is completely inspiring! Thank you for sharing your heart.
candicemajor says
I definitely agree with what you have stated in your article. I am not a people-person, I avoid human contact most of the time. But recently, I have realized that I actually most enjoy myself when I share my interests with others (e.g. helping a cousin out with his literature homework instead of just reading a book all alone). So, thanks for sharing your thoughts, now I have a new way of exploring the world… through looking in people’s eyes.