Friday, December 5, 2014

Breakfast in the Castro - Halo Effect

Me: Good Friday morning, Mibes!

Mibes: (stands up from the table and gives me a hug) Good morning!

Me: How are you on this fine Friday?

Mibes: Never better. After all I'm with you. 

Me: Aw thanks. "Never better" I haven't heard that lately. I like it.

Mibes: Thanks. And you, how are you doing?

Me: I'm OK. I'm better than OK. I'm feeling strong and healthy this morning. And could it be that it's all because of who I am with?

Mibes: Could be.

Me: I love you, Mibes. And I love your optimism. At first I thought it was kind of phony, no one is ever that happy all the time. But as we've met day after day, it seems to me these qualities aren't something you take on and off like your glasses.

Mibes: Maybe. I don't know. Maybe they are the glasses. If I didn't wear them I'm be impaired. Who knows?

Me: What about your doubts, your insecurities, the things that frighten you?

Mibes: Oh I've got them. But you have this kind of halo effect on me. 

Me: Halo effect?

Mibes: Bias, usually based on a good first impression. I see you smiling and I think I love this guy. I have every reason to be optimistic.

Me: I'm no angel. 

Mibes: Of course. But I see you as remarkable. We've talked about this before. Of all the 7-billion and 200-million people now alive on the planet, your the only you. 

Me: The same is true for you. And somehow we have a connection. This connection.

Mibes: Did you study any Chinese proverbs last night?

Me: Nope. But I glanced at Alma 37:37 about going to sleep and waking up with thanks unto God. 

Mibes: Sounds good to me. I'm better at that in the morning than before bed. 

Me: Same here, but I'm going to try it again, morning and night.

Mibes: I might join you. Let me know how it goes.

Me: Love you. (Giving him a hug)

Mibes: Love you more.