Wednesday October 19 2016  WHO ARE YOU?

Have you ever had someone ask you the question “Who are you?” because they were really interested in knowing who you are?  If someone did ask you, how would you respond? 

I met a new employee at my friend’s barber shop when I was there for a haircut yesterday.  Yesterday’s poem was born from that experience.  When we meet people we all do a quick assessment of them, whether we admit it or not, and that first impression is often a lasting impression.  Personalities are all different; some people are reticent, laid back, and in my opinion, sometimes just boring.  Other people seem so full of life that they seem to create a different atmosphere when they enter a room.  It is as if there is energy, a pulse, a love for life that permeates from them.  I would hope I would be the latter rather than the former description.

The new hairdresser I met had that impact on me.  After her client left I asked her, “Tell me who you are”.  Whew! Did I ever get an earful.  She sat in the swivel chair opposite me and thoroughly described her valued points of life, all in one breath; I probably received more information from her within the first 60 seconds of meeting her than I end up knowing from people I’ve been acquainted with for a year.  She was open, honest, and forthright.  I think a lot of people might have been turned off by such a comeback from the simple question of “Who are you”, but it was totally refreshing to me.

Most people have a desire to be known, appreciated, and accepted.  Here is a quick way to find out if the person asking the question really has any intent of knowing who you really are.  She peaked my interest by her quick, concise monologue; and of course I only wanted to know more.  She was refreshing and had laid a foundation between us.  I could accept who she was, or I could walk away.  She had pretty much covered all the bases of any future surprises.  Actually she was quite refreshing.

But, sometimes things are not always as they seem.  Do I really know this person by just this one meeting?  No, I do not.  Does she have hidden pains and fears of which I am unaware?  Probably.  She is more than likely just like the rest of us, doing what must be done, facing the fears that surround us, overcoming difficult situations, worrying about things that probably don’t need to be worried about, and searching for the reason she was placed here on earth.  And yet, on her face was a smile.  She exuded joy when she spoke, and I could feel the pulse of her life as she went about her job and interactions with others, as well as in her kindness toward me, an older lady.  Just meeting this young woman put a smile in my heart.  I hope when people meet me that they walk away with a smile in their heart.

WHO ARE YOU?

Kathleen Martens

October 19, 2016

www.visionsofpoetry.com

Who are you?

Is the question to ask.

Have you discovered

This daunting task?

It is not easy

To figure it out.

Some search forever

With anguishing doubt.

Who would you describe

Your self to be?

If I asked you?

Would you tell me?

Have you discovered

Your inner self

Or do you idly store

Your self on a shelf?

*I purposely divided the word “yourself” to “your” “self” in both stanzas.  It makes the meaning different.

How very fortunate I am to go to the barber shop I go to.  Both men and women are clients, and it is a full service hair salon.  But the best part is that my hairdresser is also a person that always puts a smile in my heart.  I enjoy having my hair cut because I love the time she spends talking to and with me.  And I just love who she is.  I always leave more refreshed than before I came.  

Thank You Father that I know that I am your child!

Thank You Lord for placing in my heart the desire to make others smile.

Thank You for all the wonderful people you bring into my life.

Thank You God for the poetry you place in my heart.

GOD BLESS AND KEEP YOU!