Strangers
“A vague memory, a dream from long ago,
This beloved stranger that I hardly know.
A pair of soulful eyes, full of desire and hope
Riddled with longing and a history of woe.
A boyish grin, exuding joy and wonder
Yet thoughtful and serious deep down under.
These are the things I remember most
Of this beloved stranger from long ago.”
We meet strangers every day. We sit next to them on the bus, walk amongst them on the street, shop with them in the local supermarket. We may even work with them in the office. Some we see only once in our lives. Others we see almost every day: people we greet out of courtesy in the elevator, for instance, but remain nameless or co-workers we routinely speak to whose history and interests are unknown to us. We may see these people over and over again, but they hardly leave a dent, impression or mark on our lives. They are passing instances that quickly fade and disappear, as if they never existed, the moment their presence is gone.
Then there are those that leave an everlasting impression even if our time with them was only a brief exchange on a park bench or train ride. We may never see them again after that, but they have left their mark. These are unforgettable characters whose stories, personalities, knowledge, beliefs and perceptions of life penetrate one’s mind and soul. They introduce new ideas and cultures; they push boundaries; they challenge beliefs; they inspire and ultimately affect change in one’s life. It is rare we come across such characters, people we find ourselves connecting with in such a deep and meaningful way. When we do meet such a person, it is like opening our eyes for the first time where the world looks new, exciting and full of possibilities again. That person becomes an inspiration, a muse, in which we find new reasons, hope and dreams for a better, more beautiful life.
Perhaps this is what it means to fall in love: the feeling of being inspired by someone. Through this person, one finds the inspiration, courage and strength to be better and greater; to pursue the dreams one may have put aside; and ultimately, pursue the beauty, whether that is children, family, art or whatever life aspirations one may have, that makes one’s life meaningful and fulfilling. You are touched so deeply by this person, or by the one moment you were fortunate enough to share, that you are no longer the same person you were before.
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Hi Meg;
Great post.
I think that we are beings that unsconsciously thirst for something out of the ordinary, something different that will mark us, whether it’s from a person/stranger, a picture, a sign, or a show. I believe we are so hard press to “succeed”, we forget to live or experience life, and so we endure this routine (as the famous french saying goes, metro-boulot-dodo or metro-job-zzz) over time, and then over more time. The only thing that has qualified our time, in that scope, is the routine.
To cite my quote: ” we race against time only to be part of it”.
And so when we meet that one person, or scan that one sign, and he/she/it is different, or out of the ordinary, we are marked, we get inspired.
For those lucky ones where that one day comes amidst the routine, when the moment arrives and they stop and think about “hey, where am I really? have I lived ?” That moment is probably the most important time in their life. They’re lucky where that thought came about, whereas for others, they continue “racing against time”.
My boss (from axium) asked me one day “do you live to work or work to live?”.
Well that question doesn’t really apply to me, since I had quite a childhood, one full of events that are alive with me every day and keep me going. I did live quite a bit…well so much that I am done with traveling, this by the age of 22, and today I try to share most of my experiences with different people:
- Have you experienced a morning in tropical Africa?
- Have you ever learned to climb a coconut tree from natives?
- Can you imagine a villager guiding you (in your car) to a family of lions 2 miles away just by scent in the Amboseli game park?
- Have you ever had a staring contest with a hippo from across the river, and then he started coming after you?
- Have you been held up by presidential guards with AK 47s at your temple, trembling finger on trigger, as they await an eminent coup d’etat and you hold a US passport in a fanatical muslim regime?
- Have you ever experienced visiting a city that shuts off all lights at night in fear of Libyan air raids and mercenary drops, and where that single sound of an airplane spreads fear all over?
- Have you ever had a conversation with the African mind (in Africa)?
- Will you ever want to experience this and more, and LIVE to tell about it during your routine back home?
Africa, on this continent of imminent danger, and festivities as well, the human spirit flourishes. Friendships are lifelong, love stories stands the test of time and the unpredictability of things breaks the comfort of any routine. People can only opt to experiment life to the fullest.
Africa is the most economically-challenged place in the world and as a result nests the most indelible human spirit. It will mark you just like it did me.
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Your second paragraph caught me… well written. It speaks to the core of people questioning their emotional identity. Not often easy to express, but you did an exquisite job of conveying the eternal vs. the external (if I caught your grasp).
I’ll have to backtrack, and keep following your posts.
Rob
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It is so true that a single moment with a stranger can change you. I believe this happens to all of us and doesn’t have to be romantic as you indicated but can still be something magical and that person has impacted you for life. Well said!
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As I seem to be in a sentimental mood these days, here’s a tidbit on a beloved stranger and a few beautiful moments shared. Though unknown to him, this stranger was one of the impetuses behind the launching of this project and kick-starting my writing career.
The next entry, I promise, will return to more serious topics on love and relationships.
Happy reading!
Meg
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