I am often meeting with strangers.

Before I meet with them for potentially two to three hours, I have a name and a lot of other information about them.

It is amazing to me that I always come up with some idea in my head about what this person I’m about to meet with will be like. I presume this is largely based on interactions with people with similar names in the past, or what I can make up based on the factual information they have in front of me.

Maybe this is human nature, or maybe it is just fear because that is a long time to meet with someone and not be able to prepare not knowing who I am meeting with.

I am always completely, so very, completely wrong.

Of course I am. Our name and other facts say nothing about our personality interests, wishes.

It is a great reminder to be open to meeting new people where they are at. Learning and exploring. Not assuming.