Perceptions and First Impressions
We, as humans, are what our experiences and personalities make us. We mold ourselves like clay based on our likes and dislikes, our friendships, and our experiences both good and bad. We take what happens to us, internalize it, and decide if it will change who we are. Our parents, preachers, and teachers, try to instill in us morals and values. If we are lucky, we have great teachers and mentors to help guide us and shape us.
But.....
If we are unlucky, then we are faced with many obstacles to overcome. Loss of love, loss of friendship, loss from death, horrific events happening to us. All of these have the potential to change us.
We tend to judge people by first impressions, actions, and perceptions. I beg of you to take a moment, take a breath, and decide if the actions of someone that made you judge them in a certain way could be caused by other events going on in their lives.
I have been lucky in that, even with some of the worst obstacles to face, I have had an immense support system that helped me overcome those obstacles. When I was sexually assaulted at the age of 27 and my sister's life threatened, I had family and friends that circled around me. When my grandfather died in 2001 I had the support of my work family and my real family, along with my newly discovered Northeast State Student Ambassador family. When my mother was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2012, I had the support of my husband, our church, my school family, and my family and friends to help hold me up as I dealt with the most devastating news I had ever heard. My mother, my rock, my best friend growing up was fighting for her life. In August of 2014 my mother was released from her fight with Ovarian Cancer and passed with her family surrounding her. There are plenty of things I wish I could tell her.
Since moving to Northern VA in August of 2015, I have made several good friends. Some of them are friends that I can talk to about anything and everything that is going on in my life. They listen, never judge, gently give me advice that I may not have taken from anyone else, and continue to support me in my quest for a #newmein2017. Recently, I was faced with losing one of those friendships, even though it was fairly new. I realized that I was devastated to be faced with this happening. I have begun to wonder if it is possibly because of a perception or first impression that was made in error.
I admit, I have a huge heart and I become emotionally bound to those that are my friends and that I care about. I want everyone to be happy, even if I am unhappy and in despair. I know that happiness exists. Because of that, I want to encourage everyone to ask questions if you begin to think one way or another about someone. If you do not know the entire story, just ask. If you want to know if someone did something that they have never done before and why they did it, just ask. DO NOT JUDGE someone on their actions when you have not been around them that much. Sometimes, we as humans, act out because of stress or events beyond their control, or because so many feelings are swirling inside that they cannot make heads nor tails of it. Sometimes we do things we would not normally do because we ARE feeling more.
Being able to feel again. Being able to come out of the numbness is amazing. Stepping into the light called life is wonderful. Enjoy it and enjoy it with those that make you happy.
I leave you with this: my #newmein2017 workout is going well. I have lost another 2 lbs, for a total of 14 lbs. since 2/9/17. I have those that continue to encourage me. I have those that continue to support me. I am worth the effort. #myinnergoddessishappy
YESTERDAY:
1/4 mile elliptical @level1
1/4 mile elliptical @ level2
30 leg presses @ 135lbs
30 calf raises @ 135lbs
40 shoulder pulls @ 25lbs
40 rower pulls @ 25lbs
40 ab curls @40lbs
20 triceps @ 15lbs
20 biceps @ 15 lbs
20 chest/shoulders @ 25lbs
Today or tomorrow I will add recumbent bike and leg curls
"Well behaved women rarely make history!"~~~~~~Eleanor Roosevelt
But.....
If we are unlucky, then we are faced with many obstacles to overcome. Loss of love, loss of friendship, loss from death, horrific events happening to us. All of these have the potential to change us.
We tend to judge people by first impressions, actions, and perceptions. I beg of you to take a moment, take a breath, and decide if the actions of someone that made you judge them in a certain way could be caused by other events going on in their lives.
I have been lucky in that, even with some of the worst obstacles to face, I have had an immense support system that helped me overcome those obstacles. When I was sexually assaulted at the age of 27 and my sister's life threatened, I had family and friends that circled around me. When my grandfather died in 2001 I had the support of my work family and my real family, along with my newly discovered Northeast State Student Ambassador family. When my mother was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2012, I had the support of my husband, our church, my school family, and my family and friends to help hold me up as I dealt with the most devastating news I had ever heard. My mother, my rock, my best friend growing up was fighting for her life. In August of 2014 my mother was released from her fight with Ovarian Cancer and passed with her family surrounding her. There are plenty of things I wish I could tell her.
Since moving to Northern VA in August of 2015, I have made several good friends. Some of them are friends that I can talk to about anything and everything that is going on in my life. They listen, never judge, gently give me advice that I may not have taken from anyone else, and continue to support me in my quest for a #newmein2017. Recently, I was faced with losing one of those friendships, even though it was fairly new. I realized that I was devastated to be faced with this happening. I have begun to wonder if it is possibly because of a perception or first impression that was made in error.
I admit, I have a huge heart and I become emotionally bound to those that are my friends and that I care about. I want everyone to be happy, even if I am unhappy and in despair. I know that happiness exists. Because of that, I want to encourage everyone to ask questions if you begin to think one way or another about someone. If you do not know the entire story, just ask. If you want to know if someone did something that they have never done before and why they did it, just ask. DO NOT JUDGE someone on their actions when you have not been around them that much. Sometimes, we as humans, act out because of stress or events beyond their control, or because so many feelings are swirling inside that they cannot make heads nor tails of it. Sometimes we do things we would not normally do because we ARE feeling more.
Being able to feel again. Being able to come out of the numbness is amazing. Stepping into the light called life is wonderful. Enjoy it and enjoy it with those that make you happy.
I leave you with this: my #newmein2017 workout is going well. I have lost another 2 lbs, for a total of 14 lbs. since 2/9/17. I have those that continue to encourage me. I have those that continue to support me. I am worth the effort. #myinnergoddessishappy
YESTERDAY:
1/4 mile elliptical @level1
1/4 mile elliptical @ level2
30 leg presses @ 135lbs
30 calf raises @ 135lbs
40 shoulder pulls @ 25lbs
40 rower pulls @ 25lbs
40 ab curls @40lbs
20 triceps @ 15lbs
20 biceps @ 15 lbs
20 chest/shoulders @ 25lbs
Today or tomorrow I will add recumbent bike and leg curls
"Well behaved women rarely make history!"~~~~~~Eleanor Roosevelt
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