Obstacles in getting to know me and how to overcome them.

So you want to know me.
I was about to use harsh words but instead I'll just say, no thanks to your quizzzing and interrogating me with simple-minded questions: Where are you from? What brought you to this city? What do you do? What school did you attend? Are you married? etc., etc., etc.?
The only reason you want me to answer these somewhat-like-talking- about -the-weather-style questions is to assist you in putting labels on me that will make it easy for you to fit me into a box. Then you will not have to experience me in any meaningful way. But this approach will not help you to know me.
If you want to know me:
(1) Observe me - see me, actually look at me and listen to me without asking questions unless you are seeking clarity about something I have said;
(2) Share yourself with me, your thoughts and feelings about yourself. Let me know your likes and dislikes, what turns you on and what gives you joy;
(3) Be transparent. Strip naked before my eyes and let me look at you beneath skin-deep. Let me see your bare soul.
Then I will trust you and stand before you naked and defenseless.
I'm beginning to feel like you know me and I know you.

Copyright 2004 by Uriah J. Fields