A prompt from WordPress Daily Press totally gobsmacked me this morning. The idea is to write a scene where I meet “an opposite version of (myself).” A sort of DC Comic Bizarro World-slash-Seinfeld encounter.
Aside from the obvious physical differences – taller, thinner, younger, more blonde – the internal changes are what stumped me.
What sort of person would my Htrae-ling doppelgänger be like? To know that, I have to know who I am, and I was having a difficult time trying to describe me.
I want to think that I am kind and empathic. I’m relatively intelligent, and have a modicum of common sense. I tend to take people at face-value, but can also be highly cynical. My bullshit detector is getting more accurate as I get older.
There are times when I am self-confident, but more often I’m simply muddling through hoping I don’t draw any attention to myself. I don’t like crowds, but will introduce myself to strangers and can hold my own in a conversation.
It’s not easy describing the person you are when you don’t really know.
My husband chides me because I ALWAYS get him to write cover letters for me when submitting a resume. I left off an About Me page for years, because I had no idea what to write. I can compose someone else a glowing review, I could write my husband a winning cover letter, but when I have to focus on me, I’m completely lost.
The only way I got around an About introduction for my blog was to write it in third-person, as if it referred to someone else.
I can say I like to read and write stories. I can point out that my favorite hobbies are photography and hiking. I like to cook, and eat. I’m kind to small animals, but have a low tolerance for little kids (having already raised two of my own.) I can point out that I have always lived in the south (my excuse for my Dixie drawl), and probably always will.
If asked, I admit to being Republican, but forward thinking on many social issues. I hate few things or people, but am a grudge holder. I’m on a first name basis with God, but rarely visit Him at His House. I’m also friends with Buddha and Gandhi.
My business card could list me as a wife and mother, sister and daughter, aunt and friend, but not an expert in any of those roles – a deficiency that causes no small level of consternation.
It’s the intangible variables that are hard to pinpoint, the essence of who I am, that I can’t seem to describe. I don’t know what an opposite Me would be like, because on any given day, I can’t characterize the actual Me.
I believe you to be the best of all worlds, a wonderful mixture of opinions: Outspoken and well versed, creative and down to earth (enough to take an incredible picture from that vantage point).
Your stories and offerings have pushed me to see the world differently, they have challenged me to write better, live better and LOOK at things from many vantage points.
if you met yourself, as I’ve met you through your words, I know you’d see the phenomenal person I do .
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I don’t think you’re alone in the way you feel about yourself, or how well or how little you know your own personality. On any given day, it’s normal for one facet of your personality to shine brighter than another. And maybe the constant change is what makes it hard to pinpoint yourself in just a few words.
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What a great peek into the personality behind the incredible words and photographs. Thanks a bunch.
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I hate writing about me. Hate it. But I like the idea of a doppelganger. What would she be like?
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All I know is that you are one of the neatest people I know – neat, as in “cool”, “fascinating”, and all around “worthy”. My life would certainly be less full than it is if I hadn’t met and come to know you.
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You, my dear friend, just made my day. Thank you, I feel equally blessed to have met you.
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I like this idea/prompt…hmm, after we get out out ladies tomorrow I will revisit. I like learning as much about you as possible.
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