If you haven’t seen me lately, you wouldn’t know that I now have purple hair! Very purple hair! And I love it.
Our appearance is the way we make our first impression to the world. We are very visual creatures. People make assessments about us instantly based on our physical appearance, our clothing, and our accessories. We all do it. What we do with that initial assessment afterward is what is most important. We need to supplement that initial assessment with additional information. Speak to the person. Ask questions. Observe their actions. Get to know what lies behind their appearance. Even if a person doesn’t at first appear to have much in common with you, you might be surprised at what you share. To me, this is one of the most interesting experiences we can have. The opportunity to get to know someone and what makes them who they are.
For me, I was placed in a difficult situation when my family moved to a foreign country when I was young. We emigrated, so there was no going back (as far as I knew). I attended local schools, and struggled to fit in as an American in a country where Americans weren’t particularly wanted. I learned that standing out was bad, and I worked hard to become a chameleon. This skill of blending into whatever group I was around has allowed me to get to know and enjoy a wide variety of people, but people never really got to know me. I remember being judged for a characteristic I couldn’t change, that didn’t say anything about who I really was, and I reserve judgment about others until I get to know them (despite, as all of us do, forming instant initial impressions about people). I’ve often been pleasantly surprised to find out how much I enjoy people I didn’t think I would – even when I don’t have a lot in common with them or agree with all their perspectives about life.
I used to hate being singled out for being a foreigner. When I returned to the US for high school, I was singled out for not being a part of the current culture. I remember it took almost a year before I realized that Luke and Laura were not students at the school but were characters in a soap opera! (I know, I’m dating myself.) Over time, I’ve come to realize that it is now part of me to be outside of the culture around me. I took my classes in college in reverse order, and so I was always studying with people of a different age group. I got married and had a child in life much later than those around me. I realized, somewhat belatedly, that I am an artist. I enjoy science (I have a biology degree), but don’t need to practice it.
As an artist, I enjoy making things that are just a bit unusual. I love incorporating odd bits and bobs I find along the way. I like wearing jewelry in unusual ways. And I love having purple hair. I’ve found that it is a great conversation starter. I get to talk with people who might not have noticed me before. I get to learn about new opportunities and walk through new doors. I call this vivid living. And I invite all of you to join me in showing your true selves. And respecting others when they show their true selves! Get to know people who perhaps aren’t like you. Enjoy the opportunity they offer. And be sure to fully enjoy and express yourself! Live vividly!
