If you know me or have read my blog, you know that I have a complicated relationship with the human race. It really isn’t personal. Yesterday, on our second day in Santa Fe, we wandered into the Georgia O’Keeffe museum to simply enjoy her work and learn more about this empowered woman. I didn’t know much about her, but I did admire her artistic creations. My favorite quote that I found during our visit was when she said, “I wish all people were trees because I think I could enjoy them then,”. A kindred spirit indeed and she wasn’t ashamed she felt that way. She might have taken it to the extreme by being a bit of a recluse, but the reality was she was true to who she was.
After that excursion, we had booked a tour that gave us a bit of the history of Santa Fe with also a sampling of some of the local flavors. It was a group of eleven and our guide asked us to introduce ourselves along with sharing a “fun fact”. What???? Seriously, that is a lot of pressure and honestly, I couldn’t think of anything. When the introductions rounded their way to me, my response was, “Hi, I am Allison. My fun fact is that I have a complicated relationship with people. I love them and hate them,”. I didn’t add “good luck to you all” to it, but was surprised at the response. Some giggled, but most looked at me like I was crazy. Immediately, I was sort of embarrassed I said it and then I thought this will be a fascinating psychological experiment.
As we progressed our way through the tour, most made an effort to stay away from me. Of course, I don’t know that for sure, but that was my perception. I guess it is an oxymoron to say that I am a people person who doesn’t like people. Those that truly know me understand that it isn’t about those I select to have in my life, but those that suck me dry emotionally, spiritually, and physically. Life is too short to be surrounded with people who don’t lift you up. This doesn’t mean I am not kind to others, it just means I am picky in the selection process of who I include in my circle. In one of our stops, I stood in line behind a woman who was in our group for the restroom. She smiled at me and said, “I loved your introduction about not liking people,”. As we continued to chat and I shared with her my whole issue. She got me. There is nothing malicious about my belief that I am not going to gel with some people or loving the essence of solitude. It is who I am.
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