Entry #2: how would I want to be perceived by others?

Press the Button: IMpress or EXpress?

By: Kimberly T. Mendoza

Am I really expressing myself? Or am I impressing them to resemble who am I wanted to be perceived?

Perceive, defined in Cambridge English Dictionary, is to notice something or someone by using sight, sound,
touch, taste, or smell. If I am in the shoe of giving meaning to this word, perceiving is somehow being biased to just
what the outer part have shown. To observe, to recognize, to discern, and to become aware of something being seen.
People see the world in different ways; it could be positive or negative. It is based upon the situation they are
into. Each single person has his or her own way of observing, thinking and understanding the world or a person. As
such, it affects our opinions and views that leads to miscommunication. In pursuing a good communication with others,
one should know who he or she really is. Exchanging thoughts can shape others’ self-concept; presenting our dearest
self will manifest our image publicly and socially.
Let me tell you the story of mine regarding how people perceive me and how I would want to be perceived by
them.
Impressing is far different from expressing. Impressing could be deceiving in a way that a person is not true
with his or her actions or feelings. Expressing is being true to what you feel. People sometimes misinterprets when I am
exposing my genuine self to them. There comes a point where they are ignoring me for rebuking them by just
expressing my thoughts toward them and some gives me appreciation for being true. It took me a lot of time trying to
present an image of myself not to upset people with my words.
There was a moment when…
Me: Mali ba yung sinabi ko sa kanya? (Am I wrong for saying those words?)
My friend: Hindi, sinabi mo lang naman yung totoo. (Not at all, you just told the truth.)
I doubt myself for being true but it is how I wanted to be perceived by others. People can’t please people to like nor love
them. It is only God that we should please. As a believer of Christ, I pray that people sees Christ-like in me.
First impressions do not last, hundred percent agreeing in this quotation. Criticisms about me when I met new
personalities: unobtrusive, soft, and shy but when I get to go along with them, I am someone that you can joke around
and easy to be with.
In this case, perceiving yourself is the beginning of knowing the inner beauty of you so that it could be passed
on to others. I always remind myself to be gentle since every action, people may stone up criticisms that could set as a
barrier in expression of oneself. People’s perception can either be harsh or favorable in one’s ears. Inner and outer self
that we present to the world varies from one situation to another; in a snap of a finger, people can judge you based on
your hair color, clothing, jewelries, but the utmost is to express the realest you.