What are your first impressions?

Back in the 80s, a Psychology professor at Ottawa U pointed out that no one in the room was looking at him in the same way.

Some might think him attractive (I thought so). Others arrogant. Too tall, too short. Some might find his voice annoying. Others soothing. Some might resonate with his way of teaching while others couldn’t wait to get out.

He explained that none of it had anything to do with him. It all had to do with the person looking at him and their perception.

He added that since he couldn’t control what anyone thought of him, he may as well just be himself and not worry about it. I loved that!

He then showed us this classic image and asked if we saw an old woman or young woman.  What about you? What do you see?

It’s both. Look at it long enough and you’ll see.

What is the old woman’s eye as she looks sideways to the left is the young woman’s ear as she looks behind in the same direction.

As this was the first time many had been introduced to this image, there was some rather interesting debates and aha moments.

What was so obvious to one simply wasn’t to another. And vice versa.

This stayed with me, especially when reflecting on first impressions.

When it comes to new environments, I’m definitely of the breed of people that looks for the beauty. I seek beauty and I find it. That’s why I love nature and tourism photography/videography so much. 

Seeing a new place for the first time is so exciting! I’m always taken aback when someone else complains or perceives mostly negatives.

But when it comes to people, I’m still in training.

I surprise myself! It’s like hearing someone else’s voice in my head judging the appearance, the manner, etc. It only lasts a couple of seconds until I catch myself with raised eyebrows thinking “Hey, what’s going on here!”. Obviously a part of me is afraid of something.

What am I afraid of? Being judged myself? Not being able to work with this person? Not understanding the differences? Prejudices I’ve somehow absorbed in life?

I don’t beat myself up about it. That wouldn’t help.

But I am aware that my judgments say more about me than about them. Something triggered something – hmmm… food for thought.

If you’re always able to recognize the other as the expression of the Divine that they are, bravo.

If not, I hope this memory that emerged as I re-watched the first video I created at Ananda Assisi this summer provided a good mirror for you too.

What do you seek when meeting new people, events, environments? What do you find?

I created this video at the end of my first of eight weeks at Ananda Assisi. I’d moved there to do the Transformative Arts Certification Program at the Academy of Art, Creativity & Consciousness across the street.

Spirit had Guided me there. I wasn’t sure why exactly, but I knew I was where I was meant to be.

My heart was wide open and my curiosity heightened. 

I went into this experience expecting the best.

I felt instantly welcomed by and welcoming of both the community and other guests.

That minor extravert part of me came out to play, to interact, to love. 

The mood of this video reflects a lot more than my first impressions of the nature around me. It celebrates the high vibration I felt in the community and in myself.

My love & beauty radar was up and fully rewarded! Seek and you shall find!

As often happens when I share the world through my eyes, the locals are refreshingly surprised and start seeing their world through new eyes. That’s always fun!

Or they are thrilled to see their beloved world recognized and honoured.

I’m grateful that by sharing this with you now, a few months later, I’m reminded to carry that approach to first impressions – of people, places & events – back home, where I’m the local.

Enjoy viewing the Umbrian hills of Italy through my eyes in the video up top.