We Are All Just Human, After All

Who are you….really?  Do you label yourself by a job title, by your role in a relationship, by your own personal accomplishments?  Let’s be honest…that’s really all they are.  Labels.  Labels can be peeled off, ripped apart, and thrown in the trash.  Why would you want to label yourself with anything that is so temporary?

When you get right down to it, we are all just humans.  We are living, breathing mammals.  We have that in common with everyone.  No matter where we come from.  No matter where we are in life right now.  We all just want to be loved.  Appreciated. Valued. 

The dangerous thing about labels is that when you create them, you expect people to be or act a certain way.  The moment of judgment you have prevents you from being able to truly know that person.  I am quiet and shy.  You wouldn’t know that about me.  I am an accomplished business woman.  I sing in front of people.  I meet with clients on a daily basis.  Doesn’t matter.  I’m still very shy.  I still struggle to start conversations with people.  I sometimes feel extremely uncomfortable when I run into clients in public.  I don’t know what to say or how to act.  I freeze.  People have told me before that I seem snobby.  They have made a judgment before even taking time to get to know me.  I love talking to people once I start to feel comfortable around them.  I just struggle with the initial getting to know them. 

Next time you are in public meeting someone new, try thinking differently.  Remember that everyone is human like you.  You have that in common.  It makes interactions so much easier.  And, you will probably even get to know so many more interesting people because you skipped the judgment part at the very beginning of your interaction with them.

Sara Bruns