One night many years ago when I was in my 20's I went out drinking with some old coworkers. You know that episode of Sex and the City where Kristen Johnston falls out of the window and in retrospect everyone realizes it was the end of an era? I realized it was the end of an era for me, of a particular going-out-drinking era.

I remember we didn't eat very much so we ended up doing that thing where we were leaning close over the bar, like, LET'S JUST GET REAL. We talked at some point about old souls vs. new souls. One of the women I was with informed me that I was clearly a new soul. There was just something in my spirit that indicated that my particular soul hadn't been around that much, that it was just fresh and new and curious and young and naive. Then she told me that I needed to shut up and listen more. I must have looked offended because then she laughed and said "Aaw, don't be mad." I wasn't mad, per se, but I was stung in a way that can only sting when you know someone's sort of right.

I think about that still sometimes, because I think she was right about being a new soul. I don't think I have a lot of wisdom. I have to make myself sit still and listen and not jump in with my own two cents (I mean, obviously--I don't think an old soul would be interested in spilling her guts as much as I do.) I like my new soul. I enjoy breaking it in for the next person.

I never saw that girl again, and like I said, I don't go out like that anymore, but I still think about what she said. I do try to listen more and I also try not to be mad when somebody tells me who I am.