Think about the people you know. How many of them would you say are “open” people? How many of them are “closed” people? Half-open? Half-closed? Half-assed?

What was the question?

In a casual conversation with a coworker today (which concerned nothing about the state of anything on the roster for the job itself), I was reminded of a particular girl I knew in college. She had a very open, amiable demeanor about her and was incredibly approachable, warm, and friendly. Mind you, I knew many open and colorful people in college; attending a private institution which is known for its diverse and intense populace helps cultivate such people and encounters.

This particular girl, once you got to be labeled a “friend”, would pretty much tell you any detail about her life that you cared to know and a few you probably never bothered to think of to ask. Privacy to her was not as important as presenting an open, inviting countenance to others — especially friends. Sex, personal body features, even her body itself (showing it sans clothing, that is) wasn’t something that bothered her if you were genuinely interested.

Many other people I’ve met both in college and have taken the time to know have been extremely open about themselves. There has been nothing more fascinating than the multiple times I have sat down with someone and had one of those long, all-night conversations where you learn the most fascinating aspects about that person. Details you would never normally uncover during daily banter come out as the conversation winds back and forth between the twisted chasms of each person’s personality and life.

We are each touched by particular people in our lives. Every touch of a person affects us in a negative or positive or neutral way to shape ourselves and our psyches and beings — this much has been proven by psychologists and neural physiologists. Our brains are the ever-recording pattern-matching sponges of reality, soaking up the experiences of life and retaining an immense amount of life and retaining an immense amount of information, reflections, and impressions. If we can each use our exposure to others in the most efficient and meaningful way possible, we could help rectify so many of the misunderstandings and misinterpretations of this age.

I hope, for my sake, that I get to be intimate with each and every person who touches my life.