Too Much Cologne
I work on the 17th floor of 22 floor office building. Obviously, I am not about to walk up 17 flights of stairs, so I take the elevator. The thing about elevators is that you never know who is going to hop on with you.
There’s the guy who talks on his phone making sure you can hear him.
There’s the guy who looks down and ignores that you are there.
There’s the guy who strikes up a conversation.
One day last week I met another type of guy. He was the I wear so much cologne that it smells like I took a bath in Stetson guy. It was pretty bad. The guy tried to be the guy who strikes up a conversation, but I couldn’t really talk because I was trying to hold my breath. I began to wonder what he was trying to cover up.
Genesis 1:26 says, “Then God said, “Let us make man in our image
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Wow man, I love how you manage to pull something so profound out of relatively mundane occurrences. I can relate and I would say I used to be the guy who looks down to ignore you. It wasn't until God did a work in my heart and showed me who I am in Him that I was able to walk in confidence and be the "guy who smiles and talks to you on the elevator". Love this!
Tony, thanks man. I used to be the guy who put his head down hoping we wouldn't make eye contact, so I definitely relate to what you are saying. It's all about walking in His confidence.
My recent post Too Much Cologne
Yep…..sometimes I am the gal who is always smiling to convince others (and myself) that I have it all together…..when I clearly don't.
My recent post The WOW factor
I'm there too. To be honest, I think a lot less of us have it together than we lead others to believe. Thank you Michelle for coming over here today.
My recent post Too Much Cologne
I have tried….. tried to cover up with things that were not me at all and all the wrong things.
Good job – thanks for sharing!
My recent post Enemy Steals…
Thank you Jim. I appreciate the honesty.
My recent post Too Much Cologne
Small talk is not my strong suit. But even though this is the case I should figure out how to improve in this area. I'll never be perfect at small talk but perfection isn't the goal. Becoming more Christlike in my approach with people is. Hmm… if my goal is to become more like Christ, then maybe perfection is the goal.
I had a side thought: The guy who was wearing the cologne should walk up 17 flights of stairs because if he started to smell bad who would be able to tell the difference?
David, I can relate to the small talk thing. And I see where you are going towards the perfection thing…Great point!
I would also think if he went up the 17 flights of stairs he would smell like a men's locker room.
Thank you for the opportunity to share over here today.
My recent post Too Much Cologne
I discovered the same sort of thing not in an elevator, but in my own neighborhood. I have lived in the same area for years and hardly know some of my neighbors because I've kept my head down. I'm thankful for those in my neighborhood who initiate conversation, are transparent, and create an atmosphere where others feel it's ok to strike up a conversation, to be authentic with each other. Thanks for sharing this, Michael.
My recent post A Game of Cosmic “I Spy”
Thank you Larry. I'm a introvert at heart, so this is something that I deal with on a regular basis. Not too long ago I shared that I met my neighbor for the first time and she thought that I had just moved in. I have lived in my house for two years.
My recent post Too Much Cologne
I'm sure I have, but my biggest move it just to withdraw. I'm pretty shy so it was natural to me to fade to the background. That's not what God made me to be though. I don't want to cover it up. Thanks for a great reminder.
My recent post Prayers- Kids- and Work
I'm with you bro. 2 Timothy 1:7 kinda sums that up huh?
Wow! Am I the only one who is not shy? I'm not a person who needs deperately to talk to someone. I can stand easily alone in a crowd but people just start to talk and I will talk back. I say hi to everyone and I don't look down. I'm wondering does that make me arrogant? I don't think I am. I do remember a time where I was at the house of a couple who are my parents now. That was my home for me. And a man visited them and just talked bad about me to others in front of me. I didn't expect that and a woman did the same on another day. I was so hurt I didn't understand why they did that. I felt attacked on who I was. I didn't dare to be myself anymore. Than one day two people told me not to lose myself, just be who you are. But I did and people didn't like it! Found out later they were hurt people and I was at that moment their target. It took me a while to get over it and be myself again. It also took a while to forgive them. I'm a pretty openminded and spontaneous person. Someone told me I have an open face, open character there is nothing I can hide they can see it. It's true. There were times I wished I could hide who I was, to pretend but that is what I can't do. You see it right away in my face. I couldn't be a good actor.
I can't believe that you, Michael, and Jason are shy? Wow! God uses shy people to people like me who are not shy at all to be humble through all your posts. Thanks.
I'm an definitely and introvert and from you what are stating you are definitely an extrovert. Both are good.
Trust me, I wish I wasn't always shy.
My recent post Too Much Cologne
Laura, thank you. We do tend to be good at covering things up.
That is too funny about the stetson thing.
My recent post Too Much Cologne
This comment is for Michael and Herb:
Before I turn out the lights I wanted to say thank you for taking the time to contribute to Strive. I appreciate it and it appears a lot of others did also.
I look forward to other posts whenever you so desire
David, I really appreciate the kind words. Thank you for that.
I was off with my family yesterday and missed this… glad I came back and read it.
I have spent too much time in the past trying to cover up me instead of allowing God to shine through me. I am not perfect in the eyes of man…and that is ok. I am perfectly made in God, and He is perfect within me. It is time to let His fragrance overwhelm.
My recent post Trustworthy Sayings – Part 1
Amen Bro.
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