Perception
I have learned today that it is good I am able to type this message, but at least I am not a Utard.
This morning while in Stake PEC, one of the high councilors talked about a brother in our ward who he works with. He talked about how on the outside, he puts on this front that is tough, rugged, and manly. He drinks regularly to fit in with the other men he works with. However, when this member of the council gets to work with him alone, this brother acts completely different. He is openly concerned about his family, the changes that are taking place in his life, and wanting to do something to make it better.
The brother from the high council interprets these moments as this brother reaching out for help. The high councilman pointedly asked me as a member of the 5th ward to encourage our ward to reach out to this brother. It just so happens that I am this brothers home teacher. I was shocked. When I visit, there does not appear to be any reaching, searching, or desire to change. I see the tough, rugged, and manly image. I have tried several times to reach out to this family. They will not return phone calls. The only way I can ever contact them is if I drive by their home and see him out in the garage drinking. I have started making it a point to ride my bike by his house on the way home from work just so I can catch him.
This has bothered me all day. I started wondering why we put on these fronts. I wonder if I do the same thing, but in the opposite fashion. What is the perception of others about me, about my family, and the things we do? Do these perceptions affect the way people approach me? What about you? Do you put on perceptions that make you un-approachable in some peoples eyes? I worry about that. I worry that some people won't approach me because they don't think I will give them the time of day or that we don't have anything in common or that they will feel silly talking to me. I am now thinking what I can do to change that about myself. I would like to think that my family as well as myself are approachable. I would like to think that we are not putting wall of misperception intentionally. I hope that I am not. I hope that you are not doing it either, at school, with different groups of friends, or those with whom you associate. I would ask you to think about that. Do you act differently depending on who is in the group with you? Do you act differently when one person is present or not present?
Today in Primary we say a song that is part of these years program. The words are "What would I do if Jesus was standing nigh, how would I act or what would I say? Think about it. Would we?
This morning while in Stake PEC, one of the high councilors talked about a brother in our ward who he works with. He talked about how on the outside, he puts on this front that is tough, rugged, and manly. He drinks regularly to fit in with the other men he works with. However, when this member of the council gets to work with him alone, this brother acts completely different. He is openly concerned about his family, the changes that are taking place in his life, and wanting to do something to make it better.
The brother from the high council interprets these moments as this brother reaching out for help. The high councilman pointedly asked me as a member of the 5th ward to encourage our ward to reach out to this brother. It just so happens that I am this brothers home teacher. I was shocked. When I visit, there does not appear to be any reaching, searching, or desire to change. I see the tough, rugged, and manly image. I have tried several times to reach out to this family. They will not return phone calls. The only way I can ever contact them is if I drive by their home and see him out in the garage drinking. I have started making it a point to ride my bike by his house on the way home from work just so I can catch him.
This has bothered me all day. I started wondering why we put on these fronts. I wonder if I do the same thing, but in the opposite fashion. What is the perception of others about me, about my family, and the things we do? Do these perceptions affect the way people approach me? What about you? Do you put on perceptions that make you un-approachable in some peoples eyes? I worry about that. I worry that some people won't approach me because they don't think I will give them the time of day or that we don't have anything in common or that they will feel silly talking to me. I am now thinking what I can do to change that about myself. I would like to think that my family as well as myself are approachable. I would like to think that we are not putting wall of misperception intentionally. I hope that I am not. I hope that you are not doing it either, at school, with different groups of friends, or those with whom you associate. I would ask you to think about that. Do you act differently depending on who is in the group with you? Do you act differently when one person is present or not present?
Today in Primary we say a song that is part of these years program. The words are "What would I do if Jesus was standing nigh, how would I act or what would I say? Think about it. Would we?
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