When they see you

If we are the example that they see, what are you showing them? What am I asking here? Are you clear? Am I asking about how children see adults? Are we talking about Christians juxtaposed those that practice other faiths? First, let's stop and be clear on this question and my use of wording here. Who is “we” and conversely who are “they” and “them?” For the sake of this conversation, "we” are those that purpose ourselves to make a difference in the lives of others - all others. Therefore, “they and them” are everyone that is affected by our actions, our lives and our speaking.

Revelations 12: 11 is frequently quoted and states, “And they were overcame and conquered him because of the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony." Perhaps you’ve been like me and you’ve come to believe that your testimony is your verbal sharing of an experience or hard trial. I’ve shared many of my experiences, triumphs, disappointments and upset with others on several occasions. I’m ashamed to say sometimes in my sharing I’ve completely “dumped” on anyone who was in earshot of my speaking. I haven’t always been selective in how to share my experience(s), my story and said another way, my testimony. However, I’ve observed that what I say - really matters. Equally as important as what I say is how and when I speak. David said in Psalm 19:14, “May these words of my mouth and this mediation of heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my rock and my redeemer.”

Becoming a grandmother and parent to adult children, I have made some observations. Before I share these observations, I would like to go back for a moment and share a lesson from my childhood. I heard many things growing up from adults. Included in the adult pool are my parents, teachers, elders, clergy, neighbors, my friend's parents, community members, actors and authors. It is important for me to note that everyone listed shaped me in every way. I learned a little bit from everyone I came into contact with. I didn’t really and truly always choose what I picked up and or what stuck and stayed with me. They were all authority figures and influences in my development. And when “they” spoke “I” heard things like:

“Children are to speak when spoken to.”

“Don’t be so loud.”

“Stay in a child's place.”

“What happens in this house, stays in this house!”

“Do as I say, not as I do.”

“Don’t tell everyone OUR business.”

“Children are to be seen and not heard.”

This is just to name a few but the worst was, “Who do you think you are?” I don’t know what impression these statements caused anyone else. I do know that for me, I rebelled against many of these statements - secretly, of course. I suspect I’m not different from any other child turned adult. Every now and then I still hear these statements; and I dare to defy the sting of their testimony. As I am just entering into the next generation of my legacy, I’m more concerned about the impression that I leave with my speaking as well as my living - my walk. I’m concerned about how I leave people when they’ve come in contact with me. I think about this all the time in business. I’m writing this blog post to cause you to think about how you're showing up.

Who are you? What do we see, when we see you - do you know? What are you contributing to others when you speak? Are your words betraying you and showing that your heart is bitter or judgmental? Or are listeners hanging on to your words because your light is contiguous? Is the mediation of your heart suggesting that you’ve been spending time purging out what ails you? Great leaders and influencers have something in common, do you know what that is? For starters, people want to be around them? How are you sharing your testimony? What can we see in your walk? Does your light shine bright?

Check out this poem written by William Arthur Ward. And write to us @CapriCoutureCreations with your thoughts. We want to hear from you.

“Every person has the power to make others happy.

Some do it simply by entering a room

others by leaving the room.

Some individuals leave trails of gloom;

others, trails of joy.

Some leave trails of hate and bitterness;

others, trails of love and harmony.

Some leave trails of cynicism and pessimism;

others trails of faith and optimism.

Some leave trails of criticism and resignation;

others trails of gratitude and hope.

What kind of trails do you leave?”

― William Arthur Ward

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