Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Beautifully Different {#reverb10}

Prompt: Beautifully Different
Think about what makes you different and what you do that lights people up. Reflect on all the things that make you different – you’ll find they’re what make you beautiful.

Ooooooh this is a tough one and I've been staring a blank screen for the best part of the day.  Different I can do . . . . .

Being British (Welsh) & Living In The US

I'm a fairly shy, quiet and private person and don't like to draw too much attention to myself so it was an interesting experience when I first moved to the US.  Suddenly, without even trying, I found myself drawing unwanted attention each time I opened my mouth.

I would say as little as possible while I was out running errands to avoid the inevitable conversation about my accent.

I've gotten used to it over the years and am now able to smile and thank people when they tell me how much they love the British accent and I even laugh and smile when they think I'm Australian.

My Little Fingers Are Bent

I was born with two bent little fingers and the funny thing is my uncle's are exactly the same way.  It certainly made playing the piano and using a typewriter interesting!

Vertically Challenged

I'm short, scraping it at exactly 5ft.  I know I'm not the only short person out there but I often find myself in a room of people towering over me which can leave you feeling more than a little different. 

Growing up I used to use a hand mirror to check how the top of my hair looked because I figured that's what most people would see when they saw me!

Loner

I'm a bit of a loner, I swear I was a hermit in a former life.  A lot of people just don't get how I can spend so much time alone with myself (maybe they know something I don't) but I've always been that way and I kind of like it.

Not Wanting Children

When people learn that I don't wish to have children they either think I'm selfish or a child hater.  Truth is I don't hate children at all, I've just chosen not to have any.  I love my nieces and nephews, I just couldn't eat a whole one (tongue firmly implanted in cheek).

Super Emotional

I'm highly emotional  and cry at all sorts of things.  It can be embarassing, frustrating a hinderance but beautiful it is not.  There are those that look beautiful when they cry, but not me.  I have the ugly cry down pat.  I look as though I've been smacked around the face with a frying pan and I get all blotchy and red.  I'd love to be able to control it, but sadly I can't.

Beautifully Different was harder to articulate so I thought I would ask those who know me.  Here's what they had to say:

Husband:  "The combination of your eyes, smile and aura make you beautifully unique and different from everyone else".

Sister:  "That's easy, the way you love".

Mum:  "You're thoughtful, caring, have a a smile to die for and the fact that you're my daughter".

Brother:  "Being such an outgoing person creatively but not sociably".

Sister-In-Law:  "Your ability to live with a Dechairo and still remain a calm, centered person".

Yvette (Friend):  "1. beautiful (def) wonderful, very pleasing or satisfying... 2. different (def) not ordinary; unusual... so if 1 + 2 = x then I think x = your art!"

Tony (Friend):  "The fact that you're a career artist? Not an easy feat to pull off."

Maggie (Friend):  "Your talent and your kind heart <3"

Their responses made me cry (told you I was emotional).

It's all too easy for us to focus on our faults but if we choose to truly look into the eyes of those closest to us we might be surprised to find our own beauty reflected there.

I’m participating in a 31-day blogging challenge called #reverb10, responding to writing prompts that encourage you to reflect on the past year and consider hopes for the coming year.

15 comments:

  1. one of the most poignant things i have read in a while. i love that you can express your "self" in writing... beautiful (gorgeous) and different (unique)!

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  2. Thanks Yvette, this was such a tough one for me but I stuck it out and finally got there. Glad you liked it.

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  3. Oh, how I love a British accent! At times I have tried to fake one, but it always comes out ridiculously animated! Take pride in this beautiful voice of yours!

    I loved how you asked those closest to you about your beautiful differences...what a cool idea! I think I may steal this from you!;-)

    I look forward to reading more of your posts! Happy Writing!

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  4. Thanks Jess.

    It was so much easier asking others about my beautiful differences than trying to write about them myself, go for it.

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  5. that was fabulous, i loved that you asked other people, and that they had such honest, beautiful answers.
    and the mirror to look at the top of your head thing made me laugh right out loud!
    this was a tough prompt for me too, i found a solution i was comfortable with, but spent some time staring at my computer screen first

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  6. Lovely... both your accent and your writing! :)

    And my son and husband both have the bent pinkie finger thing!

    And my captcha is petard. As in, hoist yourself off your...

    @libismorgan
    #reverb10

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  7. i'm a super emotional loner too!!! :D

    in fact, i cried 3 times today... stress brings out my best qualities! :P

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  8. Hello! I loved this wonderful post!!! Thanks so much for sharing.

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  9. i don't mind being alone at all so i totally understand that one !!!
    and not having children....oh gosh....nobody can point fingers at that !!!
    my thumb on my right hand is bent like your pinkie fingers :)
    and the fact that everyone around you loves you for you....now isn't that the answer to life !!!

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  10. and i forgot....super emotional, me too !!
    commercials on TV....oh vey....they get me every time...and shows like the biggest loser, i'm a mess...

    and let's not even go to the movies that have given me the ugly cry !!

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  11. Oh my gosh...so glad I came to visit you today. We are so much alike! I hang out on my own way more than most people understand..crave solitude....I don't have children either....and the emotional stuff...yeah, I'm like that too, always being labelled as too sensitive. But you know, I would never want that part of myself to change...it's what makes life so rich. And yeah...the ugly cry. I love the way you describe it..lol! I look the same way when even just a few tears fall!
    Loved reading these insights about you. :)

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  12. One post and I'm hooked. Thank you for stopping by my blog, Kathryn, otherwise I might not have found you. This post was fantastic and the only one where opinions of others were incorporated. Brilliant )

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  13. Stereo, thanks so much for stopping by and for your lovely comments, I really appreciate it.

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  14. Believe it or not..you're taller than me. I very much identify how you feel when you're in the room with anyone over 5'5". I find myself always looking up. All of my children are now taller than me and most of my grandchildren are getting there.
    What a clever idea...but I'm afraid to ask.

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  15. Charlene - it's good to know I'm not the only one who's on the shorter side. I bet your children love that they're taller than you now. :0)

    Don't be afraid to ask . . . you might be pleasantly surprised at some of the responses you get. I think you're beautifully different in how you've managed to create the most beautiful works of art through your loss and your pain. You've been a huge inspiration.

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