Last night, I found myself eavesdropping on the job.  I prepare and serve food in a house that holds weekend retreats for the spiritually inclined.  Being the curious zen master that I am, I occasionally find my ear sneaking into discussions, hoping to absorb a tasty thought-morsel.  I was struck by the topic at large last night.  The participants were discussing rather challenging question, namely, "what was it that defined them?"  

 Struck by the depth of such an idea, I began to apply the question to my own existence.  What defined me?  Was it that I can cook?  That I'm a recovering drunk? Or are people not that easily summed up?

Then I started to think about how I would want to be defined.  If I had to choose one aspect of my being that trumped all others, then what would it be?  I chose humor.  

What defines me is my ability to take my own smile and make it yours.  

 As cheesy as this might sound, I ask you, fellow open salonistas, to take it upon yourselves to think about what defines you.  Maybe even share it if you feel so inclined! I would love to hear about it.