On many occasions I have been known to tell a student that colleges are always looking for interesting people. But recently I read this statement from the book Excellent Sheep, and it made me pause.
"Interesting is not accomplished. Interesting is not "impressive." What makes you interesting is reading, thinking, slowing down, having long conversations, and creating a rich inner life for yourself."
It occurs to me that when I tell a student that something she's done is interesting, it's not necessarily the student that is interesting, it's the activity. There certainly can be an active or authentic connection, but it's not necessarily true.
Consider the people that you find interesting (and please don't use the Kardashians as an example). What makes them so? What do you see in them that is so compelling? And more important, what are you doing to create an interesting life for yourself?
Just something to think about before the snow blows in this afternoon.
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