Open Sesame

Passwords. They are magical and mythical and allow you to get to your e-mail account. We are surrounded by passwords in this world. We are required to have one for every little thing these days. Debit cards, library cards, bank accounts, e-mail accounts, facebook, blogs, and the list goes on and on. Even as people we are labeled with numbers: social security, driver's license, college id, which allow us to pass through this world without too much trouble. As adults it is tedious and boring to try to keep track of all of them, but as children passwords were wonderful things. Do you remember having a secret knock or handshake with your friends? Perhaps it was a fun, weird word that you said to identify yourselves. Passwords allowed you to go beyond the ordinary, they made life special and magical. If you think about it passwords have been present in this world since the beginning. Elusinian mysteries were all about passwords. By having seen, heard and done something they were all linked by those shared experiences. With a word they could relate to one another. Maybe that's what passwords are all about. Sure they are made to let you 'pass' through, but maybe they are about finding commonalities amongst all the people of this world. Maybe they are used, not to pass through, but to pass with.