I’ve been sat here looking at my screen on and off for a little while waiting for that flash of inspiration. That moment when the brain cells are kinder and the jumble of thoughts in my head finally get themselves in order and fly out of the tips of my fingers. Sometimes the tangle is too great and I start something and I find I’m crossing too many subjects and I have to walk away until I can unpick the mess.
Gosh reading that back makes me sound nuttier than I actually am. Maybe I’m actually that mad and I don’t realise. Please don’t hold it against me. I suppose that is the great thing: how different we all are. How we process and manage situations differently. Some people hold it all in, others over share. Who’s to say what is right or wrong. Pass judgement. I know I’m not that person. I’m far from perfect.
Recently I stumbled across a few social media pages, one in particular, that has had me laughing. The person writing it has a no holds barred style that I love. She covers things that, I guess, people of a certain age encounter but may not have the courage to vocalise to the people closest to them. One post hit the nail on the head for me. She was talking about learning to love all parts of yourself. Being kinder to ourselves and others. That’s something I think we all need to be better at.
Media for years has given us this image of how we should look. Guidelines to how we should behave. We must be trendy. Fit within the masses. I have never been comfortable with that. There is no way I’m buying a brand of clothes because it’s all the rage. Most of all, I’m never going to be a supermodel. This body was made chunky and no amount of exercise when I was younger made much difference. Sure I toned up but stick thin was never in my future.
Are we not more than our physical appearance anyway? The way we treat people. Our morals and manners are just as important right? I’ve read stories of people suffering from Parkinson’s not wanting to go out because their appearance has changed so much and they’re no longer comfortable. That makes me so sad. Why can’t we be kinder? Not stare at the arm tremors? Not make a big thing about the lack of coordination.
It’s not just the staring. I’ll throw my hands up and admit I’m not as fast moving about as I was. Part of that is I don’t want to be rushing at breakneck speed. So when someone is in your way and not moving fast enough, I beg of you, be kinder, as that will be you one day. Maybe not suffering from a debilitating illness but just not able to move as fast. Heck maybe not wanting to. That moment when you realise you have missed so much by rushing and not taking in the environment around you.
I put it to you, if that person in front of you, who isn’t as fast as you, is going to make you late. That is on you not them. Maybe you should’ve left earlier. Made allowances for delays. Set the alarm earlier so you could have a coffee at home rather than having to queue too long at the local coffee shop for a take out.
My husband, I’m sure, is not mingling with people as much for a lot of the above reasons. I won’t let him shy away. He is still a valuable part of society even if some people secretly have other views. Just because he can’t carry you a full pint from the bar that is no reason not to meet him for a beer. Be kinder people. You don’t ask for it but one day it might be you. E x