the many sides of us

              

  This is a picture of my brother and I at King’s Island. This doesn’t actually have anything to do with what you’re about to read, but picture-less blog posts scare me. :P

I sat there on the cool metal bench, enjoying a short break from the sweltering August heat. I was at State Fair, and I was waiting for my name to be called for the next section of the competition. The supervisors had assigned us seats according to our skill level, which meant you (most likely) couldn’t sit with your friends. I ended up sitting next to a thin blond girl with glasses. She seemed quiet, and made no effort to begin a conversation.

I however, like to talk. (If you know me, you are probably very well aware of this.) So I made some lame comment about how hot it was. She nodded her agreement, and shot me a shy smile. I asked her what her name was, and how many years she had been competing; she said that her name was Hannah, and this was her first. Before long, she and I were chatting happily, and even giggling about a couple of boys in the next row over.

Hannah and I hung out together for the remainder of the competition, and even during the awards ceremony. At the end of the day she thanked me, and told me that she is usually “unbelievably shy” but I was easy to talk to.

Katie from Dramatic Rants of an Intellectual Teenager posted something a little while ago that reminded me of that day. She wrote about first impressions, and how they “suck eggs.” (She is of course 100% correct.) But her post really got me thinking about how others may view me, and about how I view others.

I mean, don’t we all have different sides? Every single person– no matter how confident they may be – is vulnerable in some way. The most “flawless” people have insecurities, and even the painfully shy become outgoing when they feel the freedom to be themselves. So how can we possibly judge people based on first impressions? You can’t truly evaluate someone’s character until you know them intrinsically – until you know their quirks, their faults, and what “makes them tick.” I think we often make assumptions about people’s character when, we are in fact, only seeing one “side” of their personality. This in turn greatly skews our perception of them, and we may judge them unfairly.

Which brings me to my own personal ponderings – who do people think I am? Honestly, you’d probably get different answers, depending on who you asked. Not because I am “different” around certain people, but because some know me better than others. Some would probably say that I’m thoughtful and mature; others would say that I’m pretty silly and crazy. Most would say that I have a good sense of humor and am smart. A lot of people, I feel, would be shocked to know the depth of my thoughts.  Many, (especially some adults,) don’t really take me seriously.

But if you were to ask me who I am, I would tell you this: I’m simply that girl you sometimes see practicing dance steps in the aisles at Wally World. I am the girl who likes to wear both sweats and dresses, depending on her mood. I’m the girl who stays up late eating oatmeal, and playing minecraft with her brother. I am the girl who, through all of life’s ups and downs, will love Jesus, and all He has given her – no matter what.

I am just a girl who is trying to live life passionately.

Who are you?

~ Abby