What Comes to Mind When Others Hear Your Name?

Photo Credit: This Year’s Love/Photopin CC

First impressions are everything. So are second ones, third ones, and ones that others will remember 10 years from now.

What comes to mind when others hear your name?

What feelings will your name generate?

Will you leave folks with a mac and cheese kind of warmth or will folks feel the need to wipe off the persimmon residue?

Recently, I reassessed what I hope my name (and this blog) represents:

• Faith
• Comfort
• Encouragement
• Fun
• Authentic

Obviously, if we write, our name and brand share similarities. We even choose taglines based on what we want to be known for.

For instance, when I thought about taglines a few years ago, I knew I wanted something that reflected the true me. Facades hold no appeal, so I wanted it to be uplifting, down-to-earth, and positive.

That’s how Heartfelt, Homespun Fiction was born. It’s what I write, yet it also paints a word picture of who I am.

I like to write the stories of ordinary people facing extraordinary circumstances. Stories about the broken and those reassembled by grace. In other words–poignant truths with feel-good take-aways.

Granted, life isn’t a bowl of mashed potatoes and gravy (wow, but I wish!)

Just like our own lives, the folks we write about will have dilemmas and mess-ups, because (A) that’s reality and (B) there’s not much of a plot without some turmoil.

Utter negativity and disillusionment, however, is not me and something I’m not good at. There’s far too much of that today so I think it’s important to show some good, ol’ fashioned redemption along with the grit.

Enough about writing.

The message I really wanted to share today is this:

People will sum up who we really are by what they witness in public, in private, and in those situations where the focus really isn’t about us.

Folks will form impressions by what they see and hear. Firsthand. And secondhand–through others’ observations, too.

Bearing in mind that we’re all human and there are days when we’re simply not at our best, 95 % of the time our witness should match the essence of who we really are.

Our character should mirror the outer picture and vice versa.

So…

Here’s what you should know:

I’m fallible.

I don’t have all the answers.

I won’t sugarcoat–though I may offer chocolate.

If you ask me my opinion, I’ll tell you. (Tactfully. Truthfully. Lovingly.)

I’m not a prude, but I appreciate gentility.

I’ll love you with your faults, foibles, and blemishes. Please allow me some, too.

******

What do you hope comes to mind when others hear your name?

What’s something you’d like people to know about you?

PLEASE SHARE:

Are you who others think you are? (Click to Tweet)

What first impressions–and those 10 years from now–really say about you: (Click to Tweet)

You matter to me!

Blessings Always,