Something I think of regularly is that everyone you know, have met or walked past on the street knows a different version of you. 

A version of yourself exists as greater number as the number of people who have consciously witnessed that existence. From a long term relationship to a passing glance, each person builds their own understanding of who you are, what you are about or capable of. For ease of understanding, I'll refer to these people as the 'audience'.

What I'd like to ask you all is, is being aware of this concept capable of changing, or improveing, the way you walk this life?

When you really think about it, this isn't something new. From our own perspectives, we know that some people know less about us than others. However when you flip that perspective and consider that your audience, based on what they know about you, generate an entirely different idea of who you are, it gets a little more interesting. 

Is being thought of as a different person an advantage, or a burden? Depends on your motivations, I suppose.

In this life, our exposure will determine how much people see of us. Especially during the current high activity climate we have on the streets. Getting noticed is largely decided by the actions you've taken and the position you hold, before anyone takes notice of what you have to say. This makes building that more 'complete' picture of yourself in your audiences head a long and careful process, much like climbing the ranks of the mob. 

You put in the work at a lower rank, make contacts, achievements, commitments before you reach the upper echelons of power. Then you have a hope of being heard.

So what about when it all comes to an end? Well in this life, it's not the end. Our kin return to carry on. 

Personally, I want my kin to seek out a new audience, not to complete their own perception of him or herself, or who I am as their bloodline, but to learn more about their own stories. I wish to understand better who the people are that walk these streets. Not sit in the secure bubble of a an audience who I believe have a comfortable understanding of who I am. There are names that my bloodline have seen rise and fall through this world for over a decade, however the picture I have of them is a silhouetted assumption.

So, do you want to know more? Do you want people knowing more?

What do you think you know? 

Don Parmigiano polishes off a piece of pizza, particularly savoring the deliciously melted prodigious amounts of whole milk mozzarella. As he chews, a young wise guy gives him some food for thought as well.

"I think this is quite the interesting discussion, young man. Abstract. Cerebral."

He clears his throat.

"People certainly see each other differently- one man's hero is another man's dictator, after all. Making ourselves aware of the differences between the way we see ourselves and the way others see us would seem to be fertile ground for self reflection- but how do we know what other people think of us? As you said, it seems like recently our life is more about what you do than what you say. Was it always this way? Or have we simply stopped pretending otherwise?"

"I think your comments about seeking a new audience are interesting. I agree that isolating oneself inside a bubble of longtime acquaintances can be dangerous. We see this so often with the rich and famous, eh? Enough people around you want to reinforce what you desire to see yourself as, that they wind up separating you from reality. But surely the best position is balanced, no? To constantly abandon friends and acquaintances for fear of losing perspective seems as great an error is the aforementioned insularity of staying in the same group. After all, it is only those who we've known for a long time who can perceive our growth, our changes. And it is only those who have seen us at our best in the past who can evaluate when we're falling short."

"For me, I seek the middle ground. I am content to value my old friends, trusted companions who, I think, will see me clearly and communicate this to me, while simultaneously inviting new relationships and perspectives."

"To answer your question, I do want to know more- and I do want people to know more as well. But 'What do I think I know?' 

We don't have enough time in the day, young man, to say everything I think I know. 

In a small section of the streets there was a man talking about the future, family lines and asking a rather poignant question.

"A very interesting topic.  Our perceptions of how we see ourselves and even how people see us can be vastly different to what in reality people think.  We build friendships in this life and tend to stay with people we share many similarities too, in this life of crime we need that sense of loyalty, however it might also be a disadvantage as it doesn't give you more perspectives to actually learn more about yourself, what your strengths and weaknesses are.  We may go our whole lives believing we are held in great regard, but actually that might be as far from the truth as one could imagine."

Greeting both men with a nod of his head, young Jack offers DonParmigiano a handshake.

"Thank you for your comments, sir. It's good to know we have a people with a versatile approach to keep things fresh. That's what your approach will breed, is the chance to do something with someone that you haven't before."

Jack acknowledges PeterMcNeil_.

"Hello my friend, I don't believe we've met. Thank you also for your take on the question. What you've mentioned regarding loyalty interests me. If I didn't already cover this in my initial speech, I would pose this question too - would you value a friend who has been associated with your bloodline for numerous years, more or less if his or her loyalty was offered to their employer above you?

"Would your long term friendship with their line be challenged or would you appreciate their integrity to a cause? There is the consideration of 'once a cheater always a cheater'. If someone breaks Omerta and is an informant for you, would you not worry about their loyalty to you, also?

"I also appreciate your last comment, you never really can assume if you are held in high regard or not."