My buddy Dave took this great picture behind our church property yesterday. Now, I don’t know about you but when I see an eagle, a few quick thoughts hit my mind: majestic; top of the food chain; soaring at high altitudes; oh, yeah; proud American; strength!
Isn’t it amazing how the image or thought of a bird can flood our minds with ideas of greatness?
When others see you or your name comes up in a conversation, what ideas about you do you think come to their minds? What words pop into people’s minds when your picture appears on Facebook? I know, I know…we shouldn’t pay much attention to what others think about us but let’s go beyond the surface here, shouldn’t positive words like trusted, helpful, listener, comforting, come to their mind?
Have you ever been in a conversation and you mention someone’s name and the other person blurts out the word, ‘Obnoxious’! We want to be the exact opposite of that annoying and disgusting guy. People with great reputations are known to empower others.
I think that’s why the wise man wrote,
“A good reputation is more valuable than costly perfume. And the day you die is better than the day you are born.” Ecclesiastes 7:1, NLT
In spanish there’s a word for the smell that hits you when someone that hasn’t showered in a while and is not wearing deodorant passes you by, ‘Tufo’. Taking a whiff of serious toxic tufo makes one hold breath and walk away. We’d rather be around those who smell good.
I know a gentleman who is known for smelling good. You shake his hand or give him a hug and the cologne he is wearing is always pleasant and soothing. Sadly, I don’t know of much more that can be said for him.
King Solomon wrote the first part of the above verse to remind us to make the effort of going beyond the mere externals of smelling good. Yes, you and I don’t want to have no tufo (sorry about the double negative) but we want others to be at ease around us and feel like the can gain something from being with us.
There are some folks that have such wisdom and valuable experience that I just want to be around them so I can try to absorb as much as I can from them.
Hands down, to build the best reputation you and I want to first focus inward so we can recognize the gifts and talents and experiences and wisdom God has given us and then use those to invest ourselves in the lives of others so they can feel better about themselves.
Ask yourself about someone you know, “How can I make him/her succeed?” or “What can I do so him/her can overcome or feel better about something or look ahead with hope or reach for their dreams?”
In a ‘dog eat dog’ business world that may not sound like the smart thing to do but genuinely loving and helping people is key to reputation building. Always keep your wits about you, though, so others don’t try to take advantage of you, but do what you can for others.
We’ve all been guilty of reaching for someone’s hand so we can benefit. How about reaching for someone’s heart before you reach for their hand?
One more thing, did you catch the seeming ‘weirdness’ in the second part of what wise king Solomon wrote? He told us that the day we die is better than the day we’re born. WHAT??? That kind of statement messes with one’s cerebellum and chicken fries our medulla oblongata.
The point is that when we’re born we’re just beginning to live. We haven’t made any kind of contribution or positive impact on anyone or on society. On the other hand, at the end of our lives we, hopefully, will have a sense of accomplishment because of the powerful legacy we’ve left behind that others want to follow. This all may take a lifetime to accomplish but it’s worth it for those we love.
Time to soar! Who can you influence today? Who can you bring a smile to? What can you do today to make someone’s world better? It’s how the best reputations are built.
Thanks for reading and please leave me a comment!
I like this message, and it’s true you go through life with its ups downs and turns but hopefully you establish yourself as a good and caring person along the way. My dad told me once, ” Remember Barbara as you go through your life the best accomplishment you can have is when a person hears your name it leaves a good taste in their mouth.” I have never forgotten that.
Great word picture, Barbara! Leaving a good taste in their mouths is what we’re after. Thanks!
Well said, Jorge!
I believe a person is honored when they are considered to be role models, but I would also hope that those people realize there is a tremendous responsibility involved with that designation.
How many hundreds or even thousands of people can be influenced by how just one person lives his or her life?
As I lead my Bible class, I always remember what James wrote in his book, chapter 3:1 “Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.”
That verse alone helps keep me focused on God’s Word as I lead my class.
I love your comment about reaching for someone’s heart before you reach for their hand. That is what people will remember most; that is what will stick in their minds, and that is indeed a great legacy!
Yes, Jim, we must stay conscious of that at all times.