I've decided that this blog needs to start being more like the voice of what I want to say. It needs to start revealing what I need the world to know. This entry is going to be the beginnings of that. I'm scared, because it's putting a very big thing out there into cyberspace. I'm also filled with hope because maybe what I say may promote understanding....
Being me has meant that I have had the benefit of witnessing and being the recipient of the very best of human nature. It also means that I've had to stand up under the very worst of human nature as well. The ying and yang of this happens on a daily basis. I am not exaggerating when I say this. Not by a long shot.
Why?
Because..........I have a genetic condition....causing bone dysplasia......
In short...I look physically different to the average person walking around.
To me, not that much different. I just do life at a different level....hence the title of my blog.
However, that different appearance means that I am very noticeable. It means that people can be curious, inspired and, a lot of the time, downright rude.
I try and give people the benefit of the doubt. I think if I wasn't this way, I would possibly be curious too. I would watch in fascination...not meaning to be rude, just curious. That's the way I prefer to believe that people operate when they see me. Children are the ones who are most curious...and I know that's natural. I like to give them a smile, hoping that they will remember that I was not only different, but smiled at them too....a friendly lady. I answer their well-meaning curious questions. My philosophy is that if I have educated a child then chances are I will have also educated their family as well. Children talk you know!
But then there are incidents like something that happened today. Apparently I was a real hilarity to a couple of older teens/20-something year old girls today. They just laughed. I just told them that they only think they're pretty.
It hurt. I'm not that strange looking. Really.
As I drive along in my car, I reflect upon people like those girls. Apart from hoping that karma bites them in the butt one day, is it right for me to also feel sorry for them? I do. I don't think they'll develop much resilience and character in their lives. Sometimes I really feel that the effort of maintaining a positive attitude in life despite the nastiness that comes against a person is character building. I don't think it takes too much strength of character to dish out nastiness, but it takes a lot of strength of character to maintain a positive sense of self when all that negativity is in your face every day you step pout your front door.
In any case, I'm going to continue being me. I'm going to continue being positive, friendly, polite and kind. I am going to continue working at my job to the best of my ability. I'm going to continue in my quest to learn how to be a good partner to my husband and a loving Mum to my adult kids.
That's all I can do.
See! My life's not all that different is it?
One day I'll talk about it properly. I'm not ready yet. I think you have enough hints in this entry anyway.
Good for you. There will always be rude and nasty people in the world, but it's really up to the individual herself to stand up and say that they don't matter.
ReplyDeleteI am Fickle Cattle.
Mayb when they're on their own they'll think about you and what you've said - girls act diffeently in packs.
ReplyDeleteHope it hasn't hit you too bad. You seem like a pretty tough cookie. :)