JUDGING COVERS
I think we
have all heard the old adage, “Don’t Judge a Book by it’s Cover”; a metaphorical phrase which means "you shouldn't prejudge the worth or value of something by its outward appearance alone."
And, I think we’d all have to admit,
we do
judge the books
in our lives by their covers.
Let’s start
with the simplest example: the library. Now I know that for many, the library ~
that quiet sanctuary of reading ~ is an antiquated venue. But let’s imagine for
a moment that you were to visit one. If, when you step into the aisles of
reading suggestions on many various subjects and don’t know what topic or
author you want to read, what do you do? Look at the printed images or phrases
on the cover? Do they catch your attention? Do you associate with the visual?
Is it something you want to spend a day or more reading about? Do you go based
on reviews by strangers who don’t know you?
And how many
of us have done so only to be surprised one way or the other? A beautiful
leather cover with a snappy title can ensconce the most boring, obtrusive book.
And sometimes, a plain, nondescript publication with a simple title can be most
exhilarating. Marketing the exterior, not the content, is a prevailing trend.
In fact, interior decorators are often known to buy expensive-covered books to
create a warm atmosphere in homes; the prime importance being that they match
the room’s décor. I read recently of a wealthy businessman who purchased 13,000
antique books he will never read just to create a library look in his renovated
home; those books were only for show.
Focusing on
outward appearances may be a pleasing way to decorate a home, but it’s a
dangerous way to live. This book cover analogy can be applied to how we
interact with other people in our lives: our relatives, our neighbors, even
strangers. Although I understand that first impressions can be lasting ones, in
order to find the core of anyone, the preconceived notion that the “cover”
people wear reflects who they really are, must be removed; outward appearances
are often an overlay of what lies within. There is an old proverb that says,
“Outward appearances are not a reliable indication of true character." Too often, we react to people instead
of responding to them; defining them by their exterior before exploring the
content.
Think of
each person you interact with on a daily basis. Everyone has an unfolding story
to tell if you take the time to hear them. And although the stories of our
lives are variations of the many stories already told, each one is personal.
Make an effort to learn about the subject at the heart of other people. What
makes them tick? What interesting ideas do they have? What do they think on
subjects that interest you? Go ahead. Strike up a conversation with someone
that goes beneath the surface.
Carpe Diem!
