We are often advised to make good first impressions—told that those first initial seconds when we meet someone are crucial in gaining their appreciation, affection, or favour. Our language even backs up this idea by urging us not to judge a book by its cover. After all, just because a cover is well drawn doesn’t guarantee the story inside it will be well told. The same goes with people, where a handsome face might hide a monster within. Indeed, the nightly news seems to prove this regularly.
But does this mean we should look down on person because they have a stain on their shirt when we first run into them, or that we should dislike someone because their breath is bad that day? Of course not. She may have spilled food on herself while working in a soup kitchen. He may have a physical condition that affects the smell of his breath. What they are going through may be beyond their control and—even if it isn’t—they may be working on improving their fate. Despite this, we can all be quick to judge.
What are we supposed to do, however, when we are put in a position where we must judge? Sometimes we are the boss who must pick the best candidate out of all the applicants, or the teacher who was mark test answers incorrect. Sometimes we are the spouse who knows it simply isn’t going to work out with our partner. That’s life, and it sucks. All we can do is look reasonably at these kinds of situations and use the information we have available to us at the time. We can only do our best. We can’t read minds. No matter how open you might be to hearing someone’s problems, if they don’t disclose them you cannot listen or try to help. That isn’t judging them by their cover. That is like trying to read a closed book. Openness is required by both parties involved, even if it is frightening.
That’s the real kind of first impression that amazes me: being so open or blown so wide open by a person’s presence that you experience love at first sight. Admittedly, I’ve experienced it a couple of times myself, but the whole concept of being so instantly connected on that level still leaves me awestruck.
In addition to the other work aimed at opening and nourishing my chakra points more over the next month, I’ll be doing specific daily card draws aimed at strengthening them through contemplation. Our chakra points are the energetic centres through which we connect and interact with the world, and I hope want them in shape for this month of self work and love. The prompts I’ll be using are below. The were inspired by the chakradivchallenge hosted by shufflingfate on instragram back in 2017. Due credit goes there.
- Become more grounded by…
- Improve physical health by…
- Improve financial security by…
- Strengthen/nourish the root chakra by…
- Become more spontaneous by…
- Trust more in…
- Arouse your passions by…
- Strengthen/nourish the sacral chakra by…
- Become more confident by…
- Awaken empowerment through…
- Embrace the energy of…
- Strengthen/nourish the solar chakra by…
- Become more loving towards yourself/others by…
- Show kindness towards…
- Connect with…
- Strengthen/nourish your heart chakra by…
- Become more creative through…
- Find your muse by…
- Communicate more freely by…
- Strengthen/nourish the throat chakra by…
- Become more aware by…
- Face fears that hold you back by…
- Improve intuition by…
- Strengthen/nourish the third eye chakra by…
- Become better connected to spirit by…
- Know your soul’s wisdom by…
- The message most needed right now is…
- Balance/nourish your crown chakra by…