Menachem Bluming considers Do You Trust Your First Impressions of Others?


There is a theory believed by many that we can learn all we need to know about a person in the first few seconds of meeting them. It is a decent theory. There is only one problem with it however... it’s not true :)

A person is so much deeper than meets the eye. We are multi-layered. We have thoughts and feelings, hopes and dreams, quirks and faults. Everyone has a past and everyone has a soul. You can't see everything at first glance.

How many times have you been impressed by someone's first impression, only to be disappointed after a few conversations? And the opposite is true too, how many people have you spoken to and not particularly appreciated, only to be pleasantly surprised after spending more time with them? Even looks are misleading. A person whom you find unattractive originally can grow on you as their complete picture unravels.

I am certain you would agree that no one can know what you are all about by speaking to you once. The same is true for others. Don't always go by your instincts. They can easily take you astray.

Rabbi Moss and Menachem Mendel Bluming who serves as a chabad rabbi in Potomac, Maryland

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