Hello Friends!
So lately I've been on a kick about how people try to tell others what they are capable and incapable of doing really gets me mad. Really what this boils all down to, is people judging other people, and forcing their unwanted opinions where they don't belong. For those of you reading this who know me personally, you know one of my famous lines is "don't judge". I often saying that preceding or following something that is going to seem odd or out of the ordinary. I usually say it in a joking way or sarcastic tone, but there's some truth to all of this humor.
Let me take a few steps backwards. We live in a society that is fueled off of opinions. Surveys are EVERYWHERE. It makes sense though, if you don't like a product, you're not going to buy it again. If the companies don't know what their consumers are looking for out of a product they won't know what to manufacture. So opinions are great. They're great when they're respectful, and given at the appropriate times. Sometimes, however, opinions are not necessary.
There's nothing worse than an ill-informed opinion. You might be talking to someone you know well or not too well, and you get on a subject that you might be pretty well-educated on. Then you get someone who may innocently be trying to participate in some friendly conversation and they know NOTHING (John Snow... he he he). They can end up embarrassing themselves, spreading incorrect facts, and myriad of different situations could go on. But there's nothing wrong with being a listener, and becoming an informed "opinionator".
Now, you're probably saying to yourselves, "so Laura is saying we can't talk to people about stuff we don't know about? How do we learn, huh?". No my friends, I'm saying, that when you're stating your opinions, and when you're speaking with someone who knows their stuff, let them speak. Listening is such a good skill to have. And before you put your opinion in, where you might not be the most informed in the room, wait for someone else to speak. Be open, you never know when a lesson is there to be learned!
So, this isn't just a philosophical, naggy blog. I know why you all came here, for a story right? Well here it is my dear readers :)
I am a klutz. A grade "A" klutz. When I was in 6th grade I played a character in my movie project named Ima Klutz. I think I was type cast for that (bah bum crash).
Anyway, what I'm trying to get at is, I'm not named Grace for a reason. I'm not graceful in the least bit. Like, not at all. I can't ever make a makeup tutorial video because of the faces I make and angles I find myself leaning trying to put on makeup in the most awkward ways. Case and point, I'm an awkward little thing. But as awkward as I am I can still get things done and be a productive member of society; though modeling will never be in my future.
What I'm trying to get at is, being smaller in a world built for taller people, it isn't always easy to look great reaching to grab things. For example, I balance a lot of things on my head. When I grab things from a high shelf, I will put it on my head as I go back down the stool.
Some might say that this is neat, or that's a really innovative way to carry things or get a task done. But I wouldn't say that, because not only is it uncomfortable, but slightly precarious as well. Honestly I've had my fair share of things fall on my face or my head. Elbows of other folks are constantly bumping into my face. It's a mess. But you know what, it's my mess.
I'm probably the person that the phrase "don't bite off more than you can chew" was written for. I constantly am doing too much. I'm volunteering for 10 things at a time, helping out friends when I should really help myself, subscribing to more magazines than I can read, and friending more people on Facebook and LinkedIn than I actually know... So you're saying I sound human? That's exactly right. I'm a person, just like anyone else. But I'm a uncoordinated, clumsy person at times, and that's okay,
People like to force their opinions and tell me when I'm doing too much, or doing a job that is literally, too big for me to handle. But as you have read in my previous posts, unless you've spent the last 23 years with me, you don't know what I can, and cannot handle. I find that there are a lot of people (not to target anyone) but often older people, that try to help me when help is not needed. They see me, what looks like struggling, doing a job, and they think I need help. Maybe, yes, sometimes I've decided on too much to do. But often times, I'm going to get the job done, and it's going to be done right, it's just not going to look pretty while I'm doing it.
So, lesson for today? Before you offer help, take a look and see if the person REALLY needs the help. Make sure obviously that they're not in any imminent danger, but see if they're actually getting the task at hand accomplished. Those who live a different life than the average person have usually figured out "hacks" to the different world that they live in. I know I plan a post in the near future to share "short life hacks".
That's about it for now. If you liked this post, please share it with your friends!
Peace, love, and otters,
Laura
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