Monty’s answers to some of your unasked questions…
If you could swap lives with someone for a day,
who would it be and why?
There are two people that come to mind and for similar reasons, but let’s first analyze the situation.
Swapping could be for the purposes of trying to accomplish something different then what would likely occur without the swap. Like swapping places with a former president on the day that he is pleading his latest case in the courts and popping in to say “GUILTY! I am guilty as charged” before mugging for the camera with a goofy smile. My problem with this approach is that I expect things will ‘correct’ themselves in one way or another. By the end of the swap or soon after the intended action will have been reversed/countered.
Another motivation for swapping could be to experience something that you wouldn’t be able to from your own position in life. Like swapping with successful musician and be the lead singer in their sell-out arena show. Aside from the fact that this prospect petrifies me I also question the logistics as to whether I’m getting or not getting the talent of the person I’m swapping with for the day. Can you imagine being on the biggest stage with thousands of adoring fans chanting for “you” and then you go out and just bomb the performance? These days, you’d probably end up getting mobbed by the crowd. And if I did ‘receive the talent’ as part of the swap, then is it really my experience anyway? Seems like it would be easier to just buy some good tickets and watch the show.
Now, I could easily logic my way out of my own selections as well. That is always the challenge with these hypotheticals, but let’s go with it anyway. My first thought was to swap with my son. Not to accomplish anything specifically, but just to live a day in his life. To help me gain an appreciation for him and his thinking. To soften my heart and strengthen our relationship. While this would not impact his life directly, my hope is that through it’s impact on me, I would be a more understanding and better father. I think as parents we often think we know better than our children and that ‘our experience’ trumps their feelings, but I’m not so sure that attitude is very helpful. The world has changed. No one has lived anyone else’s life. None of us know better.
The second choice was my father. For many of the same reasons as my son. It’s a second choice as I think it feels more like therapy than a fun experiment and I’m a little bit afraid of what I might learn.
In both of these instances the reverse of the swap (my son or father being me for a day) also seems like it could be similarly beneficial or at least not as devastating as a former president or uppity rock-star messing up my life for a day!
Why not my daughter? Mom? Wife? Well, I could swap for similar arguments as for my son/father. But to be honest I feel like I’m able to communicate with them already pretty openly and honestly so I don’t need to go to such an extreme measure. Also, if I’m completely honest, the idea of being a woman in this world (even if just for a day) is terrifying.
How about you? Who would you consider swapping lives with for a day? Why?
Be well,
Monty
Monty’s Blahg 
Intriguing.
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“Also, if I’m completely honest, the idea of being a woman in this world (even if just for a day) is terrifying.” You are so right Monty! It saddens me that my daughters aren’t living in a better world than I grew up on.
This is a very intriguing question. Who would I swap places with? I likely wouldn’t swap with a celebrity because I like my peace and quiet and privacy too much. I think I’d swap with my mum. She’s 90 and lives her live with intention and joyfulness. I could learn from that!
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My wife answered that she would swap with one her late patents so that she could see where they are and that they are ok. I thought that was a brilliant answer that I hadn’t even thought of. I think it takes a stronger faith then I have yet to have.
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I would swap with a Mother with young children. Just for a day to have that experience because other than Babysitting, I was never blessed with my own.
This reminds me of Freaky Friday where the Mother and Daughter did swap. I suggest checking it out. The original is better but the remake is the same premise.
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I think that’s a sweet swap. I don’t think I’ve seen that movie. I’ll check it out!
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I don’t think I’d want to swap lives with anyone – I’m quite happy with my life. Now to be able to be invisible and follow someone around unseen for a day – that I’d do in a heartbeat!!
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Oooh! Sounds like you have a specific plan already in mind! Hahaha
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I’ve been thinking a lot lately of interpersonal humility–the awareness that you don’t really know what someone else’s lived experience is like. Your comments about getting to know what your son’s or your father’s lives are like touches on that. I’ll stick with being me; that’s enough for me to handle!
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Haha. I can fully understand where your coming from!
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