Out of the Blue

I hadn't planned on writing a blogpost today.

In fact, I haven't thought about this blog in a long time. It's been over three years since my last post. So, why am I doing this?

The name of this blog is why. "A Piece of My Mind." Such a common phrase, really, but what does it mean? You're not actually cutting out a slice of your brain. There's no exchange of neurons between people.

Here's a piece of my mind on the matter.

We live in a society built upon white lies - that dress doesn't make you look fat - you're not being annoying - I'm fine with cleaning up your messes - but when we give someone a piece of our mind, that's when the truth comes out. You aren't funny, stop telling stupid jokes. I'm sick of you acting like you're the boss of me. Stop trying to get me in trouble!

These words often seem to come out of the blue, but don't fool yourself into thinking that someone is insulting your behaviour or your fashion sense merely because they're angry. Anger is often the stimulus, but the crucial distinction here is that it's only that: a stimulus. These opinions are not born at the moment a person becomes angry. They were conceived a long time ago, and have been gestating since then.

You are not above them. Regardless of age, gender, race, social or economic status, we're all human. Some of us are smarter, some stronger, some faster, some tougher. Some of us are extraordinarily talented and some of us struggle with self-image. Some of us just so happen to be white, or black, or something in between. We didn't get to choose the details. At the core of it, we're all just bones and muscle. Fat and sweat. Blood and tears.

So next time someone gives you a piece of their mind, don't react negatively. Banish feelings of indignation and sanctimony, wrath and disgust. Try to be objective. Take the criticism with a smile; you will be stronger for it, and chances are, their respect for you will grow. After all, what they say will always be more important than how they say it.