Knowing others helps to know yourself

We meet a wide range of people with different personalities, different goals, aspirations in life. Often, we pick and choose some as our companions, friends, mentors, gurus, etc etc. The others, the so-called wannabe friends, whom for some reason our mind writes-off, or blocks them as a no-good, a worthless person, or a 'not-so-good to have around' kind of people, also exhibit certain qualities which is very important and really helps us subconsciously to gravitate towards our 'preferred' group. They might be aggressive, passive, obstinate, arrogant, humble, soft, loud, vulgar, bold, shy, timid, passionate, crude, selfish or just plain stupid (according to our judgment). Looking beyond the obvious is such as easy thing to say, but very very difficult (impossible for many) thing to do in real life. Why? One answer could be because these are people we 'choose'... meaning: they are not our siblings, or parents - and even there, we can always exercise the 'exit' option.... (divorce, disown parents, kids or siblings, etc etc).

The emotions, the qualities that people exhibit are so incredibly varied. Again, why? I believe that overall personality of a person is nothing but the sum total of different qualities which they have imbibed... understanding them better will help draw the boundary as to which areas are best left uncrossed and which areas are worth opening up. To know about yourself, it'll be great to know what defines your judgment as good and bad, and what better way to test it than being with varied people and knowing them. Maybe you'll realize some qualities in them that'll help give you a different dimension about yourself and others. Not to mention the candid 'criticisms' that these people can give - will also help you (oh yeah, I've experienced it too!). As one of my mentor said to me once, to be a successful person, you must draw from the strengths of any given group. If you let the negatives /weaknesses in a group affect you or flow into you, it'll weigh you down and anything that you do.

Note: Abstract thoughts....not supposed to make sense!