2016 January/February IFAPAC

'A Yes Face' 

  

We all have a face, a unique face. We 'like' as well as 'unlike' everybody else's face. That may sound a great deal like double talk. But it's true; our faces are unique and different from everyone else's face. That is a scientific fact. Every face has pretty much the same general features; eyes, nose, mouth etc. Most are somewhat symmetrical because they are on the front of our somewhat round heads. People are recognized, socially primarily by their facial features, secondarily by their body structure, height, weight and form.

If I were to ask you; "What's the first thing you notice when you look at a person? It's unlikely that you would say their shoes" If you are honest you will say it is their face. A new survey asked both men and women to name the first thing they notice when they meet someone of the opposite sex. The top answer for both men and women was 'eyes'.  The second-most common answer for both was 'smile'.  Both very politically correct choices. In another study where people were asked; "What do they see in another person that may provide the best first impression?"  The most frequent answer was the word, 'smile'. Ask just any man on the street, what they notice first about another person, the answer would most likely be; 'Their face of course.' Our faces are in the front and uncovered, they are often shiny and they usually greet most everyone, even a stranger, with a smile - I have always liked people with a ready smile. The eyes would come in second because they reveal a lot. It is very true; our faces are noticed first by the majority of other people.

Our first impression of another person's honesty is by our face. If we were to ask a criminologist what are the various ways that you can identify people? He would say by their fingerprints, and their DNA, which are both unique. He may also say by facial recognition software. Surprisingly, like fingerprints and DNA our faces are also unique, even a little like 'snowflakes'. There are many other things that we may notice about faces. There are very few things more beautiful to see than a small child's face, it is innocent, it is curious, it is without blemish and it is soft and bright and often smiling. It is truly too bad that we lose that freshness and beauty so soon. Our adult faces tell different stories, they may reveal many things about a person's life and of course, it is not all bad. Have you ever heard the expressions used, "What a kind face." or "What a mean look on his face "etc. Our faces do indeed tell a lot about us.

I read a story the other day that told an even different story: "During Thomas Jefferson's presidency he and a group of travelers were crossing a river that had overflowed its banks. Each man crossed on horseback fighting for his life. A lone traveler watched the group traverse the treacherous river and then he asked President Jefferson to take him across. The president agreed without hesitation, the man climbed on, and the two made it safely to the other side of the river where somebody asked him: "Why did you select the President to ask this favor?" The man was shocked, admitting he had no idea it was the President of the United States who had carried him safely across. "All I know," he said, "is that on some of your faces was written the answer 'No' and on some of them was the answer 'Yes.' His was a 'Yes' face." by Charles Swindoll.

I have heard many expressions describing a person's face but I don't believe that I have ever heard the expression, 'He has a 'Yes' face'. Now that I am aware of such a face, I want one, I want a 'Yes' face. In trying to contemplate what I must do to have a 'Yes face', I decided that I must be confident in what I know. Since I can't know all things, then it means that I must  be confident in knowing about a subject where I know people will see me and see my 'Yes face'. Because we have the ability to help others learn how to protect their families and guarantee their financial future, I realize that I will have a 'Yes face' only if I know a very lot about this unique and noble profession. This is important in our daily endeavors and in our other circles of friends and acquaintances. Even with lawmakers and other opinion makers we meet. Work to develop your skills such that among your other unique facial features, such as your smile, that you will be confident in your work and be recognized as one who wears a 'Yes Face'. And donate to IFAPAC!

Richard Ek