Things are not always what they appear to be. While this phrase can have a lot of different meanings, it is often quite true. It can have implications for just about any situation there is.

A classic example of this concept is the story of the Saddle Ridge Hoard. A couple in California named John and Mary were walking their dog on their property when they found a rusty can stuck in the ground that had been uncovered by a recent rainstorm. They dug the can out with a stick and took it back to their house and noticed that it was unusually heavy. What first appeared to be an old piece of trash turned out to be the first of 8 cans containing 1,400 rare U.S. gold coins worth over 10 million dollars!

While most of us will never literally strike gold, the moral of the story is that appearances are not always accurate. I am big on first impressions, however, I have also had to learn that sometimes certain individuals and/or situations can turn out to be much different and often better than expected.  In fact, there have been times where my perceptions were completely changed.

In the end, it is about stopping for a moment to assess a situation rather than jumping to conclusions. This is something that I still have to work on, however, I have found it to be something that can make a difference.