How Do Others See You?
If you're like me and you've reached a certain age, like me at 42, you pretty much think you know yourself through and though. Well, at least, I did. I thought I had myself finally figured out and had become content with who I was - not that there weren't still aspects of my character that didn't need working on but I thought I even knew all of them as well. However, recent events have shown me quite a different picture of myself through the mirror of someone else's eyes.
In a series of strange coincidences I was told by more than one person about a few different aspects of myself that I had never seen or even thought about. Now, of course, if that were a one off you could, and probably, would, instantly dismiss it. When you're told the same thing by several different people in differing circles and situations then you have to acknowledge that these people have seen something in you that you didn't even know was there.
Being my ever curious self this got me thinking. How was it possible that others could see so clearly these aspects of my character - some good, some not so good - while I remained oblivious? Then I remembered the old saying 'beauty is in the eye of the beholder'. Beauty, be it human, animal, plant, words, art or music, is always judged individually by people in differing ways.
And that is probably the explanation of why different people will focus, at least enough to comment, on different aspects of your character and personality. You, however, still see yourself through your own filter - or the beauty you see through your eyes.
I'm not really going anywhere with this but I did think it's worthwhile to really listen to the things people say about you... You might just learn something :)
Cheers,
Trace
In a series of strange coincidences I was told by more than one person about a few different aspects of myself that I had never seen or even thought about. Now, of course, if that were a one off you could, and probably, would, instantly dismiss it. When you're told the same thing by several different people in differing circles and situations then you have to acknowledge that these people have seen something in you that you didn't even know was there.
Being my ever curious self this got me thinking. How was it possible that others could see so clearly these aspects of my character - some good, some not so good - while I remained oblivious? Then I remembered the old saying 'beauty is in the eye of the beholder'. Beauty, be it human, animal, plant, words, art or music, is always judged individually by people in differing ways.
And that is probably the explanation of why different people will focus, at least enough to comment, on different aspects of your character and personality. You, however, still see yourself through your own filter - or the beauty you see through your eyes.
I'm not really going anywhere with this but I did think it's worthwhile to really listen to the things people say about you... You might just learn something :)
Cheers,
Trace
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Margaret
(last edited Jan 26, 2013 11:49PM)
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Jan 26, 2013 11:49PM
In my experience, it's quite rare for people, particularly those outside my circle of very closest friends, to say things about me in my earshot. But I can see the likelihood of others perceiving our characters (and our actions) in a different light to that of ourselves. My late Grandfather used to quote a verse about seeing ourselves as others see us. :)
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Your Grandfather was absolutely spot on. I think the comments that surprised me the most were regarding my faith in God. They were all just casual comments made during normal conversations but three separate people in the space of a week all mentioned that I was 'incredibly strong in my faith' - I don't think they even gave it a second thought when saying it but it really struck me as I had always pictured myself as very lacking in faith and wishing my faith could be stronger. I'm also fairly sure that there are lots of people who make comments about me when I'm not present and I'm not sure I'd like to hear them all :)
Tracey wrote: "Your Grandfather was absolutely spot on. I think the comments that surprised me the most were regarding my faith in God. They were all just casual comments made during normal conversations but th..."I dare say that everyone has, at some stage, had themselves mentioned in conversation: and who can guarantee that everyone who comments actually gets it right? :)
