One of the first things I learned about salesmanship is: “You never get a second chance to make a good first impression.”

My mentor in the insurance business was one of the most positive individuals I ever met. He stressed the importance of dressing well and introduced me to Rubenstein Bros., which is a men’s clothing store in New Orleans.

He instilled in me that it was important to dress for success. I spent a lot of money on clothes, because I was concerned about my outward appearance but at times neglected the beauty that comes from within, which is character.

I read a daily devotional called “The Word for You Today.” Last Wednesday’s message, which follows, is one I chose to share,

because it should hit home with everyone:

CHARACTER – THE BEAUTY THAT LASTS

When it comes to beauty, get your perspective right: “Don’t be concerned about the outward beauty of fancy hairstyles, expensive jewelry or beautiful clothes … clothe yourselves … with the beauty that comes from within.”

The public relations department

of a beauty products company

asked its customers to send pictures along with brief letters, describing the most beautiful women they knew.

Thousands of letters came in. One caught the attention of the employees and was passed on to the president. It was written by a boy from a broken home who lived in a run-down neighborhood.

With lots of spelling errors, an excerpt from his letter read: “A beautiful woman lives down the street from me. I visit her every

day. She makes me feel like the

most important kid in the world.

We play checkers, and she listens

to my problems. She understands me. When I leave she always yells out the door that she’s proud of

me.”

The boy ended his letter saying, “This picture shows you that she is the most beautiful woman in the world, and one day I hope to have a wife as pretty as her.”

Intrigued, the president asked to see the woman’s picture. His

secretary handed him a photograph of a smiling, toothless woman, well advanced in years, sitting in a wheelchair. Sparse gray hair was pulled back in a bun. The wrinkles that formed deep furrows on her face were somehow diminished by the twinkle in her eyes. “We can’t use this woman,” said the president, smiling. “She would show the world that our products aren’t necessary to be beautiful.”

If you have any questions or comments, please write to Get High on Life, P.O. Drawer U, Reserve, LA 70084, call (985) 652-8477, or e-mail: hkeiler@comcast.net.