This is totally funny and absurd and silly and nutty. It’s also true.

We are talking about how one really does get to know oneself. It can’t be done in a vacuum, it’s always done in some part as a comparison.

If you don’t believe me just ask yourself, Am I my mother? Am I my father? Part of you says yes, a larger part says NO WAY. Why? Because you have learned who they are, you know them. Probably they drive you up the freakin’ wall. But even if you don’t and your one of those people who think your parents are just dandy (beware of those people, by the way), then you still realize that even if you WANT to be them, you aren’t.

Of course, this is only half the equation. Learning who you are not is good. I am not my neighbor, the perve. I am not my psycho boss. I am not my vain cheerleader frenemy, I am not my childhood friend, the rich, best-selling author with 3 homes, 2 BMWs, frequent trips to Europe and lots of hair (dag nabbit!).

It starts to narrow it down, but it doesn’t define. BUT…if you know enough people it will take you so long to figure out who everyone else is you won’t have time to focus on your self and next thing you know you will have become YOU!

I know, like I said at the beginning. It’s just a silly goofy saying. I just tried to make something of it. That’s just who I am.

Drawing and commentary © Marty Coleman

“In order to discover who you are, first learn who everybody else is, and you’re who’s left.” – Ashleigh Brilliant, 1933 – not dead yet, American funny guy.