Have you ever had an encounter that really teaches you something? I did a few days ago.

I will set up the story with another story…. I literally “ran into” someone I knew in a group of other “more established” guys that we both know. He then addressed me and said, “I heard you recently released a new book. What’s it about?”

I was actually honored that he asked and I said, “the book is called Quantum Christianity: Believe Again. It’s about…” in mid-sentence he sticks his hand out, to shake my hand, looks past me and says “Nice to see you Aaron…” and walked away.

Being the nice guy that I am, I thought that maybe he became distracted by something important so I gave him the benefit of the doubt and watched where he went… but he went nowhere… He literally stood 15 feet from where we were just talking and looked around for someone else to talk with for about a minute.  Then saw someone, and went and talked to them.

My wife was APPALLED! “Aaron, he would not have done that to you if you were more well known…” I laughed and told her, “And when I am, I won’t treat him any differently than I would have yesterday, because I refuse walk in offense or to allow how people respond to me to change how I show love to them…or anyone else…I love people because that’s who I am…and I like me.”

Fast forward a few hours, I’m talking with someone who would be considered “well known” in my circles and he, not even knowing me asks, “How are things…?”. Honestly, expecting this was a cordial but cliché question, and to give him a quick out, I answered shortly, “Things are going really well…thanks for asking”. His response floored me.

“Really? Tell me.”

We proceeded to talk for the next 15 minutes. He never broke eye contact and even opened up to me about some personal things in his own life.

There was a valuable lesson in those two words “Tell me” that I will never forget. I asked myself, “How often have you asked someone a question for formalities sake (like it seemed the first guy did you) and were content with the cliché answer? How many times have you looked the person in the eyes who just answered your question with a cliché and pushed further with a question like, “Tell Me…” ?

My answer to myself was, “Not often enough”.

Funny how something so simple can have such a profound impact. From these experiences I made a promise to myself that I will be more intentional to press beyond the cliché, love people and show an interest in them by inserting two more much needed words into my own vocabulary…

Tell Me…

****The views expressed on my blog are my own and do not necessarily reflect the views of my employer.