Soapbox

I had an appointment with a lawyer last week. It was one of those grown-up type meetings where my comfy blue jeans and bulky parka with Lego Technic pieces in the pocket wouldn't do. I practically got a headache trying to remember where I hid my non-Mama clothes, but finally came up with something acceptable. Despite all evidence to the contrary, I at least looked like an adult.

During the meeting, the attorney made a comment in passing that I found both amusing and ironic. She had spoken with me all of twenty minutes and decided I was very responsible and level-headed. She obviously didn't see me ignite a foil-covered Whopper with cheese in my microwave a few weeks ago or crouched on the floor this summer having a complete meltdown while a bat had free run of my house.

Similarly, I remember how far off the mark my first impression of my friend Lisa turned out. I thought she very outgoing, but extremely conservative and proper. Umm, well you'd have to see some of the things she emails me to grasp how far off the mark I was on that one. Suffice it to say, she is the inspiration behind the saying 'wild women don't get the blues' ;-)

How strange that we adopt different personas to fit the situations we find ourselves in. As I found in the lawyer's office, it becomes so engrained, we hardly realize the impression we present may have little to do with who we know ourselves to be. Wouldn't it be interesting if this wasn't necessary at all?

About the Author : Catie Hayes is founder/editor of WomanLinks.com; a community of support, spirituality, growth and empowerment for women. She is a freelance writer, the single homeschooling mom of two, and an avid fan of laughter, spontaneous dancing, cats and chocolate (not necessarily in that order).