Everyone has a story just waiting to be told. We all have heard the saying ‘never judge a book by its cover.’ Personality attributions are the brain’s attempt to understand the causes of social behavior. It causes us to form opinions without knowledge of the character. In this age of social media with digital editing, we can manipulate and enhance images to transform appearances. But what about in real life? Have you ever made a judgment about someone and then later realized you were completely wrong? How many times have you felt judged by someone and only wished they knew what your life was like right then?
In 2012 after a painful divorce, my life was turned upside-down. After getting to know my new neighbors, one confided in me a story. To her, I was known simply as Zippy – the blonde zipping around in her convertible, with her cell phone and little dog. In her mind, I was everything she wasn’t. Upon hearing this, I began to sob. You see, my convertible (my 40th birthday present) was a lease and at its end. I had no other car. If on the phone, it was with my mother or my lawyer helping me understand how to survive. My job as stay-at-home mother (which was what I was born to do), was also coming to an end. If she looked closely into that car, she would have seen hair unwashed and last night’s pjs. As for my dog, well she was the only one I knew who loved me, so I was holding on to her for dear life. That would have been me on a good day.
Hearing this assumption proved to be a life-changing experience for both of us. No matter a person’s story, allow yourself to hear it first. You never know how much of an impact you may have on someone’s life. Create and be a part of your own ripple effect, and allow others to be a part of it, too. If we really want to understand our fellow human beings accurately, we must allow them to surprise us, to contradict what we think we know about them. It’s the content inside, not the cover, that counts, and remember not all stories end with a happily ever after.
Zippy’s Fauxtato Salad
INGREDIENTS
- 1 head cauliflower, steamed until barely tender
- 1 can chickpeas, rinsed and cooked
- 6 slices cooked bacon
- 5 spring onions, sliced
- 4 hardboiled eggs, quartered
- 1 ½ cups Sharp cheddar shredded
- ½ cup Sour Cream
- ¼ cup Duke’s Mayo
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ Tbl. Lemon, juice
- ½ Tsp Garlic Powder
- ¼ Cup Chopped Chives
- Salt & Pepper
INSTRUCTIONS
- Combine cauliflower, chickpeas, bacon, onions, eggs, and cheese in a large bowl.
- In a smaller mixing bowl, whisk sour cream, Duke’s, lemon juice, garlic, garlic powder, chives, salt, and pepper until blended.
- Add dressing to cauliflower mixture until coated to your liking.
- Top with additional chives. Serve immediately.
