Trying to Impress (One of America's greatest past-times)

The question was asked by one of my childhood friends in response to the upcoming 'class-reunion' at the high school that we both attended--the reunion that I had no intentions of attending. Shouldn't they call reunions "Reunion to impress"?



I wondered, what in the hell does "to impress" mean. To be honest, anybody who is a full-bloodied American or a stargazing immigrant should know this answer. In America, life equals being able to impress. The only fluctuation in this act of self-congratulatory expression is that it's done more so at different times and occasions of the year. However, trying 'to impress' is as American as apple pie.



However, 'to impress' can also be touted as one of the most self-centered actions in the universe. Let's say that you can naturally impress someone, or mechanically impress someone. Naturally, all of God's children are beautiful. Mechanically, Americans feel that they can enhance on God's beautiful. However, most of the time people become ruthless and many people are hurt in the process.



So, what do we get out of reunion-like exhibitions?



You get many titles at these reunions from doctors, lawyers, teachers, accountants and Indian chiefs to nurses, actors, businessmen, and musicians. If none hadn't made any mechanical achievement (or worldly makeovers) that made them special, most likely you find them at your reunion.

That leaves the janitor, private maid, garbage collectors, landscapers, general laborers and street vendors sitting in front of there TV sets watching reality TV. Let's not forget about the many who have fallen down on their luck, are incarcerated, killed in action in Iraq, or just don't have the bus fare to get there.


Using the examples above, most janitors know more about a physical building than the CEO of a large company. Maids (or housekeepers) know more about their employer's children. No city can exist without trash being collected. None of the fine homes would be fine without a good landscaper. If it wasn't for the general laborers empires such as Rome, America and of Egypt never would have become so great.



Without any pretensions, most of the aforementioned are simply trying to make a living and make sure that there is food on the table--not trying to impress. But, they are the most impressive people that I know especially if they haven't sold off their birthright to a powerless or title or have hurt and destroyed others just to impress.



I leave you with a brief story about a carpenter. This carpenter rose up to become the Savior of all mankind. He was considered an agitator by the state and most of the people who did know Him would eventually deny Him. Today, this carpenter remains the hope of the world. He probably won't be invited to next class reunion because he doesn't fit the "impressive" title. However, without Him and the many others that He has lifted up, those who genuinely care about others and are in the habit of putting others before themselves, through there love many have been impressed and blessed.




lost and found
My book gives a personal journey where humans must start doing the right thing before it's too late: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1672518334.. In a nut shell, I am on a mission to tell people that we are in the 'last days' as earthlings where everyone will meet up with their maker and meet-up with those who have already left us. Yet, the final destination may not be what you were expecting because you never prepared for your life journey after earth. Your 'bucket list' were only bound to the physical world.

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