When First Impressions Are Wrong

It is very helpful to continue your week by adding new or old habits that make you feel alive! Whatever happens, what remains is the movement of everyday life. Come with us into the new experiences we created and would like to share with you.

Before we begin, we would like you to know that the friends who visit our home are now part of this everyday life. And that adds a little more flavour.

Last Sunday was Father's Day. As a gift, the day arrived with a massive heatwave, so it was difficult to go outside and enjoy it. However, I received a bouquet of flowers from Mary and felt wonderful, not only because she thought of me, but also because I received flowers. Men are usually expected to be too tough to have feelings, yet it is such a beautiful gesture. And when Mary said, "We do not usually give you gifts like this," I agreed and replied, "You are absolutely right. Usually men receive flowers at funerals." She is always surprised by my dark humour, but I simply cannot help myself.

We also found time to take a walk around our neighbourhood, which first led us to a nearby café and later to a nearby church that little Nikolas loves visiting because he enjoys seeing the priests and the icons. From these visits, we learned two things.

1. Not to rush to conclusions about people.
2. Not to judge the entire clergy when we see shortcomings.

Let's talk about this with complete honesty.

At the café, we met a woman who spoke very freely and whose questions were very direct and personal. Where do you live? Do you live nearby? Does the child go to school? She also said that when Nikolas grows up, he will have great success with girls because he is very handsome.

As the conversation continued, the woman revealed that she has a child with Down syndrome, that raising him requires many sacrifices, and that she herself had recently gone through a major and serious health problem. And that is when your heart softens. Your defences disappear because, behind a person's directness, there may be a need for communication and emotional closeness. A desire to feel familiar and connected. We learned that lesson immediately and, in the process, made a new and beautiful acquaintance.

A lot is said about the clergy, just as a lot is said about all people. However, because the church is associated with peace and a better life, we are often a little more willing to criticise negatively those representatives who fall into mistakes or who seem to care more about procedures than about spiritual guidance.

Yet all three priests came so close to Nikolas. They showed him around, gave him an icon, spoke with us, and we even joked about their beards because Nikolas kept pointing at them. In fact, they ended up saying that some traditions can sometimes become a little too serious and that they themselves should be more flexible. That shows great self-awareness and a genuine desire to help people feel closer and more welcome.

And so the days continue, with the demands of work and life, but always with the willingness to learn something new and to challenge even ourselves if it helps us become better people, helps Nikolas, and helps those around us.

Has it ever happened to you that you had a prejudice about someone, only for that opinion to change once you got to know them better?

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If you read all the way to the end, thank you. We would genuinely love to hear your thoughts, memories, or feelings in the comments. And if you ever feel like writing to us more personally, you can always send us a letter at:

✉️ unplug.thrive@gmail.com

— Mary & Chris