Commentary by Danielle Pelkey

The North Jefferson News



What is the most important thing to you? Can you tell by what you wear, drive or eat? For some people the most important thing in their lives are the clothes that they wear or the purses that they buy. Women, especially, have been known for their love of shoes. Is the number of shoes what you are known for? What are you known for?

I can guarantee that you are known for something. When people mention your name, there is one thing that sticks out in their minds.

It could be that you are a gossip, or that you are funny or caring. Any way you cut it, they have an opinion of you.

This is a scary thing to think about. Sometimes when I go through a drive-through I think about what kind of image I portrayed to that person in the 45 seconds I was with them. Was I pushy and rude? Was I nice? Will they remember me as the coupon person?

Things like this rarely cross our minds until we find out what people thought of us.

What matters to you most will almost always show in your actions and in your belongings. For some men, their car is their lives. They live, eat, breathe their sports cars or antique cars. They hit all of the shows and have posters all over their shops.

For some people, their family is the cream of the crop. They never do anything without their family being part of it. Their houses are covered in family photos and their wallets are full of proof of this very thing.

For others it can be their faith. There may be crosses or Bibles or any other biblical paraphernalia around them at all times. They pray and let you know it. They preach through their lives, and you know that too.

It’s not bad to be known by the things that you do; as long as those things are honorable things.

I think it would be a shame to be known as the person addicted to the computer, or the person who talks bad about people all of the time, or the person with the bad temper that puts their fist through the wall at every chance.

We must keep our character clear in order to uphold our name. Your name not only affects you, but all of those in your family.

I don’t know why my column was so preachy this week. Maybe someone out there needed to be reminded of how their actions affect others. Either way, just keep your character clear and you don’t have to worry about what others are thinking or saying about you.