A Chain Saw Reaction

Would you play an extra in a scary movie? Early one morning while driving through the city, I spotted a tall, muscular man walking down the street. Judging by his stride, he intended to arrive at work on time. Based on his tool belt and work boots, I assumed he worked in the construction industry. Here’s the interesting part: he carried a chain saw. It looked like the scene from a scary movie, but there were no movie cameras in sight.  

I didn’t call the police. Maybe the man borrowed the chain saw from work to repair a project at home. Maybe his job required him to bring in his own tools. He should have hidden that tool in a bag. You can be the best construction worker in the world, but when you walk down the street with a chainsaw, it’s not a good first impression. Check out these impressions:

                                          https://youtu.be/ad-Dm0Ac9rA

One expert said first impressions are formed in seven seconds. They say perception is reality, and once established, “reality” can be difficult to change. Is the first impression you give consistent with how you want people to see you?        

Inside the Greenhouse

I’m living in a greenhouse. Well, maybe not an actual greenhouse, but when I look at our sunniest windows, plant and flowers dominate the sill. I see an orchid, a cactus, an amaryllis, corn, a cup of dirt, and a geranium. If the list seems odd, I can explain. The corn and cup of dirt are kid projects. The rest of the plants belong either on the window sill or they’re waiting for a permanent  home outside in our flower bed. We expect house plants to sit on window sills and innocently soak up the sun’s rays, but I'm intrigued by the usual plants. Take a look at a plant that soaks up more than sunrays:

                                     

                                            http://youtu.be/trWzDlRvv1M

 It’s hard to tell if we just saw a plant video, a horror video or both. I say both!  As you can see, the pitcher plant looks harmless, but it is not your average garden plant—it eats meat, for goodness sake! What about you? What do you wish people would see beyond when they look at you, and what do you want them to know and understand about you?