I've been profiled

It's a soul searching moment when one realizes that they have a habit or pattern that is so obvious to others that profiling takes place. There's a group of people in the Lynnwood area that have been watching me closely and have reached some conclusions regarding who they think I am. I'm now forced to wrestle with how I feel about this, if I'll allow it to continue, or if I'll stand up for myself and not be labeled.

Four months ago Starbucks introduced a new flavored syrup to there line of offerings, Dark Cherry. It would be a stretch to say that I dream about enjoying that flavor but I actually don't dream much any more because I'm always awake from all coffee I drink with Dark Cherry added to it. There is not currently a drink I order at Starbucks that I don't include Dark Cherry. It's brilliant in an Americano, regular old drip and on a hot day a Passion Tea Lemonade with Dark Cherry is pretty much a cup of vacation.

The barristas at a nearby Starbucks now great me, with "Hello Dark Cherry" or "what will it be with Dark Cherry" or "You're back for more Dark Cherry". I don't feel like they really know me as a person, they don't see all of my other qualities, they've labelled me and now that's what I'm known for. Excuse me for just a second, my drink is ready at the counter. You guessed it, venti drip refill with dark cherry.

I've probably earned the treatment I get at Starbucks. It got me wondering. What do other people that I run into, during life, label me as? Am I known by my neighobrs as friendly, considerate and generous? The clerks at the grocery store, do they think of me as courteous, patient and grateful? Do my kid's teachers recognize me as caring, dedicated and loyal? Is it possible that the barristas actually also think of me as kind, authentic and good-natured?

Whether we like it or not people are going to label us with qualities they think fit us. I can't force them to think one thing or the other but I can be aware that it happens. I can think about the way I present myself, the words I use, the expressions I display and my responses to peoples actions and words. When I compare how little I'm actually in a church service, a bible study or planning meeting to how much I'm in our community interacting with people, I need to remember that people are profiling and labeling me.

I can let this scare me or I can choose to let this be a challenge and encouragement. What will you do? What will people think when you come to mind? It's your label, decide what's going to be on it.

Hope to see you this weekend,

Brent