Of course, I most appreciate not how the glasses look, but how much better I see with them than I did with my old ones.
As for my hair, of course it looks and feels great when someone else--who can reach all the hard-to-reach places--dries it and spends time futzing with each curl so it stands alone and apart from all the ones around it.
And although I do like both the new glasses and the trimmed, more polished look of the haircut, I hope that these aren't the primary things people see or remember about me.
I'd rather be seen as someone who gives up her seat on the bus.
I'd rather be seen as a person who sends birthday cards, get well cards, and just because cards.
I'd rather be seen as the one who offers a compliment, a kind word, a smile, a hug.
I'd rather be seen as willing to hold a spare key for a neighbor, share a good book, cook a meal for a sick friend, and stand up for what's right.
How do others see you?
How do you want to be seen?
Inspired by Ima on (and off) the Bima,this post is one in a series marking the days of the Hebrew month of Elul, which precedes the Jewish High Holidays and traditionally serves as a time of reflection and spiritual preparation for the new year.
