We make impressions on people. What is an impression? An indelible mark.. or is it a temporary image that fades over time? Either choice can be positive, negative or inert. First impressions, the phrase that is used to the point of nausea, bears visiting. You will never get a second chance to make a first impression. Just as true, "we may never get the opportunity to make a second impression if the first impression is offensive."
Nikki! Welcome back. Remember me; the voice with the questions? Where are you taking us today?
Sit tight and follow along. Yes, I know, offensive is in the eye of the offended. We can't please all of the people all of the time. That does not grant us poetic license to run roughshod over detractors. One goal should be to connect with as many people as possible through positive first impressions, enabling opportunities for follow on impressions. Walk away from incendiary encounters. It's the most expeditious way of derailing grief, hard feelings and the scars inflicted by the caustic acid of vitriol. This is how we win friends and influence people while protecting our inner core. It may sound like glad-handing or pandering; retreating in the face of battle. Far from it if you are sincere in your approach to relationships. Maybe we can look at it this way:
We all want to make positive, lasting impressions. That should be one of the overarching goals when we enter the life of another. Unless we've got a fatalist streak and we embrace failure like a warm and welcoming blanket of insecurity, we don't want to leave negative impressions with people. Those impressions, which have a long shelf life, a longer half-life than plutonium and can overwhelm or distort impressions left by others, identify us. That's right. Your first impressions can positively or negatively impact my ability to be viewed positively.
So this is all on me?
We all share responsibility for advancing society to accommodate the changing human ingredients in the melting pot that is the United States. Who we are should be important to you. It's important to me. I want people to want to be around me. I want to be welcoming and welcomed. I want to bust the bias. Yes, I know that's not always going to be the case. You can't make people do what you want them to do all the time. But you can persuade, influence, guide, nudge, etc. People respond better to soft emotional touch. Show your good side always. Never force feed anyone your views or beliefs. Never discuss politics or religion - these are two ignition points for negativity. People own their opinion. People are entitled to their opinion. Debate fact, not opinion. Be flexible in your approach. The coppery aftertaste of an unpleasant encounter will unduly influence even the heartiest of constitutions.
Be the voice of reason; the voice of unity; the epitome of common sense. We will all benefit from it!
Copyright 2017 Nikki DiCaro - All Rights Reserved
