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What is Impressive Anyway?

What exactly does it mean to be impressed? It is something I have pondered periodically throughout my life. Each of us can be impressed by different things. Some will have traditional talents that are impressive, such as exceptional athletic ability or creativity in the arts. Something that impresses one might not be of interest to another and may not have the same degree of engagement or attention. What impresses us in our youth may not impress us as we age. It may be something within ourselves that, in looking back, we were impressed with ourselves that we accomplished that something that seemed daunting at the time.

I thought of those that impress me. Those that have impacted my life have not been those of great wealth or even a superior title. Those that impress and influence me are the ones that can see the positive even when the world may be overwhelmingly negative. They are the ones that will treat each person with care and compassion regardless of how they look, what titles they have, or their perceived social status. They allow others to hold beliefs and ideas and genuinely attempt to understand others’ world view to expand their own world.

I imagine what others might remember about me when I am no longer here. I contemplate what I will be recognized for. Some may recognize me for the systems I supported, the projects I completed, the paintings I created, or the passages I wrote. Undoubtedly some will remember my sudden temper and anger when faced with others’ adverse actions negatively affecting many.

I am forever in the corner of the underdog. Why? Because I think they are the ones that truly can make a difference in the world, that have not found their passion, their gift, their reason for being. Those who are the stars among us know they are stars and do not need my praise to inspire them to shine. I focus on the black hole that might have been one of those stars but imploded from the stress of all it was taking in. It is in that darkness that we can find the light that lives within each one of us. I want to encourage them to ignite the flame that will burn on into infinity when we discover our purpose for being.

Raissa Urdiales
Raissa Urdiales
Raissa lived most of her life along the shores of Lake Michigan in Wisconsin. She currently lives in the quiet city of Tega Cay, South Carolina, just across the border from the very active art community of Charlotte, North Carolina. Raissa has not always considered herself as an artist. She spent a great portion of her adult life staring into computer screens and managing computer system implementations and upgrades in the traditional corporate setting. It was through a chance paint night that she discovered her passion for painting. On her 51st birthday, she treated herself to some acrylic paints and brushes and has not stopped painting since. She balances her passion for creating with her day job as a systems analyst. In the wee hours of the morning, you will find her painting before she immerses herself in the technology that is consuming the world today. Although Raissa does not have formal training in the arts she is very conscious of the benefits it has on the human psyche. She holds a Bachelor's of Science majoring in Psychology where she focused her studies on Organizational Psychology. Through her corporate career, she has learned how to strike a balance between that which provides monetary reward and that which fulfills us as humans. For her, this balance is obtained through painting, writing, and exercise. She is currently a member of the Guild of Charlotte Artists where she exhibits select pieces during the quarterly art shows in and around the Charlotte Metropolitan Area. She has also submitted and is featured regularly in the Light Space & Time online gallery. When she is not painting or working with computer systems, she is writing. She currently has a column with BIZCATALYST 360° named “Artful Being” where she writes on topics both in and out of her corporate life to help others gain balance on what it is to be human.

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