Such a courageous essay Chris. And thank you for sharing your important point of view.
When I see differently abled people moving about their day as best they can, my first, and primary thought every single time is that they are courageous. Courageous to be outside, in the whirl of everyday self focused people. I then summon the most loving energy I can feel and send it their way.
I see you, I know how brave you are to live as best you can. You feel the fear and choose to do things anyway.
The conscious choice of mine to respond this way came from (believe it or not) a Sesame Street segment I watched with my daughter 37 years ago. Yes, it was/is that powerful. It consisted of the world renowned violinist, Itzak Perlman (who had polio as a child) sitting with a young child who was practicing scales on their violin. Itzak Perlman was showing the boy how to play a beautiful scale. The young dejected child said “some things that are simple for you are difficult for me”. Itzak responded by quietly setting down his violin, putting on his arm braces, and taking two very difficult steps forward then he turned to the boy and said “some things that are simple for you are difficult for me.”
It is a good reminder that compassion and empathy towards everyone is crucial to living.
Another one I need to remind myself of constantly. Even if people do stare at me when I walk by them, near them, etc. I try to employ Sandra's trick of saying "so what?". I really like the reminder to try and remember someone else's mistakes from 3 months ago when you think everyone remembers a flub you had. Thanks as always Chris!
We have so many challenges, much not under our control, yet we can help ourselves greatly by not believing all we do and our mistakes are seen by the world.
Being unseen mostly, means we can make mistakes and it’s no big deal.
As we like to say in the UK 🇬🇧 keep calm and carry on 🙂
Thank you for this description of a common phenomenon that I never knew the name of! It took me a long time to realize "people aren't paying that much attention to me" or really just don't care! It is liberating when you don't have to worry about the perceptions of others.
I will admit to staring at people using cuff crutches because I was trying to figure out how they do it. I barely made it through the armpit kind. I don't know that I have that kind of strength and coordination. And I would totally register the Barry Manilow tee. If someone's t-shirt/irony game is strong, I want to shake their hand. You rule, Chris. xo
Such a courageous essay Chris. And thank you for sharing your important point of view.
When I see differently abled people moving about their day as best they can, my first, and primary thought every single time is that they are courageous. Courageous to be outside, in the whirl of everyday self focused people. I then summon the most loving energy I can feel and send it their way.
I see you, I know how brave you are to live as best you can. You feel the fear and choose to do things anyway.
The conscious choice of mine to respond this way came from (believe it or not) a Sesame Street segment I watched with my daughter 37 years ago. Yes, it was/is that powerful. It consisted of the world renowned violinist, Itzak Perlman (who had polio as a child) sitting with a young child who was practicing scales on their violin. Itzak Perlman was showing the boy how to play a beautiful scale. The young dejected child said “some things that are simple for you are difficult for me”. Itzak responded by quietly setting down his violin, putting on his arm braces, and taking two very difficult steps forward then he turned to the boy and said “some things that are simple for you are difficult for me.”
It is a good reminder that compassion and empathy towards everyone is crucial to living.
Thanks Teyani!
Another one I need to remind myself of constantly. Even if people do stare at me when I walk by them, near them, etc. I try to employ Sandra's trick of saying "so what?". I really like the reminder to try and remember someone else's mistakes from 3 months ago when you think everyone remembers a flub you had. Thanks as always Chris!
Thanks Jackie!
"People remember us for the right reasons. At the end of the day, all people care about is who we are as a person. That’s what we should focus on. "
This statement reminds me of what is important.
Thanks for this insightful read, Chris.
Thanks Tinashe!
Great insights are I agree!
We have so many challenges, much not under our control, yet we can help ourselves greatly by not believing all we do and our mistakes are seen by the world.
Being unseen mostly, means we can make mistakes and it’s no big deal.
As we like to say in the UK 🇬🇧 keep calm and carry on 🙂
Thanks Pranath!
Thank you for this description of a common phenomenon that I never knew the name of! It took me a long time to realize "people aren't paying that much attention to me" or really just don't care! It is liberating when you don't have to worry about the perceptions of others.
I agree! It's definitely liberating. Thanks Christine!
Excellent post, Chris! It is amazing how we all think we're the center of the universe at times, and a great reminder that we aren't!
Thanks Cherie!
Thanks for another great article, Chris. I'm not much into quotes and platitudes but that one from Angela Mayou has always been my favourite :)
Thanks Leanne!
I will admit to staring at people using cuff crutches because I was trying to figure out how they do it. I barely made it through the armpit kind. I don't know that I have that kind of strength and coordination. And I would totally register the Barry Manilow tee. If someone's t-shirt/irony game is strong, I want to shake their hand. You rule, Chris. xo
Thanks Sandra!
Great post. Thank you for sharing.
Thanks Isha!