A word from the writer : Ladies, first of all, let me remind you in case no one has today ... YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL and no matter how on fleek your makeup is, no matter how laid you can get your hair - you are YOU, and that alone is something no one else can take away. Gentlemen, there is no reason to think you are not handsome based on the amount of women you attract. The quality of the product is often based on the advertisement and if you present yourself correctly, the world will notice.
Now, while walking on campus it is very easy to see the effort that we put into the clothes that we wear, the shoes that we march around in and even the way we decide to wear our hair each day. But who are we doing it for ? When you start fresh each morning, why do you choose to wear your hair that way? Why do you decide that your lips should be a different color for this particular outfit? Are you wearing high heels or athletic shoes? Do we dress for comfort and personal choice or for the opinion of others ?
I know some of my ladies are already looking at their screens and proclaiming, as Beyonce has, that it is for "Me, Myself and I." However, this post is about making impressions that last, not only impressions of fashion we choose to wear but the impression that counts when someone hears your name and thinks of you. No matter who you are or what you do, people are always going to have an image of you in their head- good or bad. Think this is untrue? Well consider this, because of the way social media as become more visual due to applications (Instagram, Facebook, and Snapchat), people are constantly looking at images, videos and even GIFs that showcase YOU. This means your face, voice or just something random. It is a representation of yourself. Even future employers have access to you in the same way.
The best way to leave a lasting impression on social media is to make sure that everything you post represents the same side of you that you show the world. Do not allow the security of not physically being seen encourage you to post racy, biased or discriminatory things to your feed. Although it is understood that the people you accept and decline on social media are there to just keep up with you, rather than judge, believe me, they ARE judging. Every post is a little key to the doors of your personality. If you find something funny then post it but make sure it actually funny and enjoyable. When you leave comments, be sure to make them either effective or subjective. Never post comments that are distasteful, misspelled or rude. The Golden Rule is something that should be respected behind even the thumbs of a cellphone and a computer.
I place caution on these suggestions being taken as rules of how to manage all of your personal social networks because I am truly an advocate for reminding people to remain themselves. Regardless of who you are or what you post. But I hope every Odyssey reader remembers that at the end of this lifetime, you are not going to be judged on who you tried to be but, rather, who you became with the time the Lord has given you !
