Lasting impressions 2
'Who is wise...among you? Let him show it by...wisdom.' James 3:13 NIV
Sometimes 'bad first impressions' may seem so unfair! 'Why should people judge me based on our first meeting?' Sadly, it's a truth that is hard to shift - people develop impressions and stubbornly stick to them, even when they're wrong.
But we can work at creating 'good first impressions'. One way to do that is by showing people that we are available and vulnerable to them when we meet them, even before we've got to know them. So how can we do that? One communications expert has this to say: 'We remember 85 to 90 per cent of what we see, but less than 15 per cent of what we hear... If you're wise you'll ask your family and friends if you're inclined to display nonverbal cues that capture their attention and take the focus off what you're trying to communicate.' We could get a second opinion or two. And try to make changes to take valid comments on board.
If we want to make it our life's goal to share God's love with people, they'll see it first on our faces and perhaps even more so in our body language. People easily discern when someone is feeling detached, especially those who have learned to guard their emotions. If our face and body are going to talk - and they are - we can work to make sure they're saying the right things.
So what now? Have a think about how you may come across to others. Ask someone you trust to help you present the lovely, loving person you are to the world.
Soulfood: Gen 42-43 Luke 10:25-37 Ps 33:1-12 Pro 5:7-14,