Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Today You are You

I wonder often (perhaps too often) at the nature of people. And, of course, the nature of me. Only every now and again do I take a moment, but like in REALLY take a moment to breathe, and think about who I am. Isn't that wierd? I wonder if I'm alone in that? I usually just blame the busy-ness of everything. There's always something to do, something else to think about, somewhere to go. Maybe that's just avoidance tactics not to face The Truth of it all.

For my Other Job I have to write really cheesey stuff, some of it aimed at mothers with children (yes, I know, it's not something I know all that much about but hell, I was a child, I have a mother, my friends are breeding and... there's Google). It's schmaltzy stuff like how to get your kids away from the TV and into the garden and how to get them to eat their veggies. This month I had to write one on 'Sticking to your story' i.e. being you. I ended the piece with Dr Seuss' wise words: “Today you are You, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is Youer than You”. The man is a genius.

That's what got me thinking. About the importance of taking that time out, to breathe, to take a quick peek at where you're going. You know, just to check that you haven't, by mistake, while you weren't looking, done a 180 degree turn and are actually rushing off somewhere you don't really want to go (maybe even... gasp... backwards). It made me realise that I'm neglecting bits of me. This is a good thing.

Isn't acknowledgement the first step? Or is it acceptance? Either way, I'm going to get it. Because nothing and nobody should feel neglected, surely, ever?

5 comments:

Miranda said...

I often wonder how different my image of me is compared to how other people see me. Know what I mean? Like I may think that I am funny or easy going or happy and others roll their eyes when they see me coming coz actually I'm reeeaaally dull and boring and whingey and take myself very seriously. Am I alone in this, do you think? I also wonder what I'd be like if I was a boy. Would I be very different?

Anyway, thats a bit different to what you're talking about but got me on this tangent.

oh and yes, Dr. Seuss rocks!

allie. said...

Oh yes to both of you
Dr Seuss is a Solomon in kids clothes

If you feel like scambling your brains, try this question on for size:
"Who do I mean when I say "I""?

Its a serious question.
I talk about MY body; MY soul; MY spirit; MY will etc.
Who is calling those things "mine"?
Blah blah blah

For the record, I did not stay long with this question - for pretty obvious reasons.
:-)

Anonymous said...

Agree with Miranda on the perception thing. It can be odd when someon says "I knew you'd like this because you're so xxxx" and you think "no I'm not! does everyone else think that??"

As for where I'm going, well I was hoping for a little positive serenmdipity, but I have no idea where that is taking me!

Angela said...

I clearly remember that I asked myself that question when I was eleven (even still know the place), because someone had told me what I was like, and I didn`t agree and felz bewildered. But who in the world was I? And slowly I understood that it was my CHOICE. I could be exactly the person I WANTED to be. Not that I knew then who or what I liked, but I met people and wondered if they had a message for me, and some I abhorred so much that I knew I`d never want to be like them.

Yes Shiny, don`t worry. As you are growing older (and I am twice as old as you, almost, I know what I`m talking about), you will gradually adjust your "self", but some day you will know. And from then on nobody can tell you what you feel or can press you to make decisions against your will. then you will have found yourself. And there is no going backwards, no way! So just let life happen. You are a fine young woman!

Shiny said...

Miranda - so true. It'd be such fun (or maybe not) to be able to get into other people's heads, just for a day, and look at yourself...

Allie - oy! Talk about scrambled. Starting thinking about that and realised half an hour had gone by!


Mud - long live Serendipity!

Angela - I'll take your word for it, thank you

xxx