Question

He asked me, “What do you do?” That can be a complicated question. We all have many claims upon our time … family, work, leisure, survival … varied calls and responsibilities. I puzzled over the question. Not wishing to overthink the matter, I said what then seemed true: “I am a student of the human condition.” My interrogator was looking for something less esoteric, something that would fit neatly into a common box. My words did not. He frowned and went on his way. It is often true, when we engage with others, that we arrive at some better understanding of ourselves.