Chapter 53 - Human Nature

Have you ever encountered prejudice in your life? I have.

There are many faces of prejudice, and they disguise themselves as something else most times. They hide behind their beliefs, images, colour, status, and a waft of other things. I know prejudice well, because we met when I was a mere child. I understand how it feels to not be included, to be looked at differently and to be shunned. It is a horrible feeling.

As I told you, I have been over weight most of my adult life, and with that comes a certain amount of prejudice. People 'assume' you are lazy, slovenly, lacking in self-control and of lower intelligence. They assume all of this without even speaking one word to you. They don't want to know you, because if they did, they may have to change their whole way of perceiving the world, and then what! Their world would stop turning.

Now that I am a 'normal' weight and people tell me how good I look, or that I look hot, it is almost a slap in the face, as if to say that I didn't look good before. Why are people so superficial? Can't they see there is a person underneath that outer shell?

That is partly the reason why I had kept my 'little dark secret' for so many years. I know what people think, and I have learned that lesson sometimes the hard way. I'm a very open and honest person. I like the art of conversing, not just talking to people, but getting to know their true-selves - what makes them tick. I did try sharing my story with people who I thought I was close with - and I lost people out of my life. They were never blatant enough to say anything while I was sharing...but I could read it in their eyes. Eventually, they would skulk away from my life, just leaving behind another lesson in human nature for me.

This blog is the first time I have truly shared the whole story with anyone, but it's not the same as sitting face to face with someone, because there is a distance between us. I can't read your eyes. I can't see you lose my gaze when I get to a part that disturbs you. So, it allows me the freedom to share without prejudice, for the first time in my life.

And still I have had some people skulk away, but maybe this time, they stayed long enough to learn a lesson in human nature.

Please don't judge someone at first glance. Grant them the time to tell their story, allow them to be heard and known.