Do You See What They See?
by Buzzed Beef
Greetings Bears!
I always try to put my best foot forward (and for those of you wondering, it's my left foot....I've got the toe point just right.) I've always been a firm believer in first impressions and never getting that elusive second chance..etc. On Sunday, I got to find out what someone's first impression of me was and I am not entirely sure I liked it. The conversation started simply enough: this guy asked me if I had a certain impression of him, which led to a discussion. I should have known it was a baited question. Because, inevitably, it came: Do you want to know what my first impression of you was? I did. At which point, I was told that during his first encounter with me, he believed I was a man who could "tear asunder" anyone and that every decision I made was dictated by some past experience that had left me bitter.
WOW.
Now, I admit freely that I am (and can be) incredibly direct. I believe in plain speaking. I don't care for double talk or a bunch of useless falderal in my personal encounters. And I certainly do rely on my past experiences to help me make wise decisions today...."those who chose to ignore history...blah blah blah." And yes, there are times when I have had to tell someone how the cow ate the cabbage. But I've never considered myself vitriolic, just frank. Apparently, I was wrong.
And that got me to thinking. Ah, yes, the segue... Who am I putting out there? I've been so consumed with the "physical mike burton" during the past six months that it has left me wondering what I have been doing with the "persona mike burton." Has the confidence and self-esteem that changing my body has bolstered come across as arrogance and conceit. I've certainly seen it happen before: big boy loses lots of weight, builds muscles, earns new friends, gets new opportunities, becomes big jerk. I've always maintained that any change to my body is just that. It won't change the person inside, it doesn't change my soul. Has my soul changed? Have I fallen into that pattern like so many others? Have I neglected the person inside while I was focusing purely on my body? Have I asked enough existential questions here?
No matter....what I must do is crystal clear. As I continue work on the physical mike burton, I must make a concentrated effort to work on the persona mike burton with equal fervor. My soul is going on my list. I'm going to work out my soul too. I want a beautiful heart to go with a beautiful body.
Until next time,
Hugs (and licks if you want 'em)