Out of all the events and people that unfold in our lives, there are certain people, memories and images which linger, despite seeming so every day, so trivial, so unimportant. Why? They leave a lasting impression.
A lasting impression is an impression that remains long after it has happened. It stays and can even change us. Over our lifetime, we can leave hundreds, maybe even thousands of lasting impressions – even with total strangers who never know our name. A lasting impression can be as simple as changing someone’s outlook for the day. As easy as smiling to a stranger, holding the door open, or saying hello. Knowing this, we should strive to make an impression that lasts. Look someone in the eye, remember their name, make it a sincere interaction or engagement. Say the right words at the right time.
One of the inspirations for this blog post was a high school football player I coached in my final years of coaching. He did not leave a resounding first impression as a football player. He was a small defensive back and not as skilled as his peers, but he was a great kid. He never saw the field as a Junior and at the start of his Senior year, I informed him it would likely be the same. Nonetheless he stuck it out and halfway through the season we were struggling to find a consistent left cornerback. So, we gave him a chance. He rose to the occasion, played better than anyone else we, and his teammates were psyched for him. As a result we played better as a defensive unit. He left a lasting impression on me as well as the other coaches.
First impressions are typically quick judgments. However, they can be misleading. A person’s true nature is not always evident in a single interaction. Unfortunately, most people form an impression in seconds and spend the rest of their time confirming it. We should not rush to judge people. Even if the first impression is positive, it would be best to wait for all the information before letting our perception take over.
The conclusion of any interaction, meeting, or experience has a profound effect on how we remember it. Even if most of a meeting is productive and positive, a stressful or unresolved ending can dominate the memory, leading to a negative lasting impression. Same with ending a meeting on a positive note can leave a more favorable impression. We should strive for the final moments of an interaction to overshadow the initial encounter, making the last impression the lasting one. Our goal should be to have someone’s lasting impression exceed their first impression of us. Their initial perceptions are not only validated but amplified as they get to know us.
Lasting impressions can lead to a legacy, but that is not always the result. A legacy is a contribution or influence that carries on. Leaving lasting impressions through integrity, generosity, and positive impact on others is a way to build a significant legacy that extends beyond our own lifetime. We can leave a legacy by acting with integrity, pursuing our passions, serving others, and making people feel seen, heard, and empowered.
Mister Rogers has a meaningful quote on lasting impressions: “If you could only sense how important you are to the lives of those you meet; how important you can be to the people you may never even dream of. There is something of yourself that you leave at every meeting with another person.” These words remind us that we all carry the potential to leave a part of ourselves behind in every meeting, every conversation. And while we may never fully know the impact of these moments, they matter. Sometimes, they matter more than we could ever imagine. Before a high school dance, several decades ago, I took my date to see her mom who was in the hospital for some tests. It was a two-hour diversion from the normal course of the evening. When I saw her a few years back at our 40th reunion, she brought up how much that evening meant to her. Lasting Impressions can also leave us rattled. I had a brief encounter with a former business executive who lived his life one paycheck away from being homeless. This encounter was at a cold weather shelter as a series of health issues left him living out of his car. Author and actor Alexander Woollcott was right when he said, “There’s no such thing in anyone’s life as an unimportant day.”
In St. Paul’s second letter to Timothy, Paul builds on Timothy’s first impression in forming his faith – learning scripture in his childhood from his grandmother, Lois, and his mother, Eunice – to the lasting impression Timothy needs for steadfastness in his faith against adverse circumstances. In 2 Timothy 3:15, “And how from childhood you have known sacred scriptures, which are capable of giving you wisdom for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.”
Jesus’s first impressions were marked by his grace and unconditional love, while his lasting impressions focused on his teachings and the promise of peace and forgiveness. His life provided a lasting example of how to live, speak, inspire, and guide. His actions left a lasting impact on those he encountered and created lasting impressions on believers. It was His message that gave value to women, children, the poor, and the ignored.
Our life and what we do with it today matters forever. We are living in this time by God’s plan. He intended for us to live today, not a century ago or a century from now. Our faithfulness to His call today can change someone’s trajectory for eternity. We have a call to use our life and influence to leave as many authentic endearing lasting impressions as we can, starting today.
