Who wants to be the same as anyone else? Not me, I enjoy having a quirky personality: it has kept me sane.

We should call to mind what American author, and cartoonist, Dr Seuss, once said: “You have to be odd to be number one.” It is one of my favourite phrases, and remains one of my many borrowed mantras, since I was a young child- growing up in a dysfunctional family.

It is amazing how inventive and resourceful kids can be. Especially when play time is restricted and rationed: we tend to develop a fantastic imagination: with or without toys. There are positive sides to being an abuse survivor. Examples of Yin and Yang are present in every aspect of our lives, and govern our universe.

Besides, not everything in our lives works by being compliant and conformist… perhaps I may give you an example. But before I do, for those of you of who don’t know: – I have to maintain certain exercises to keep me walking. The cerebral palsy has worsened with age, and it’s either keep doing them, or have surgery. But I injured my leg in November, meaning that I was only able to resume doing them properly in January. It wasn’t, and still isn’t easy, but I like walking, so that is motivator- enough for me.

One of the routines, is something we should all practice daily. It is to balance on one leg, which is recommended to hold for between 10-20 seconds. It has a plethora of health benefits such as strengthening muscle and improving circulation. I can do this on my able-bodied side, and up ‘til my injury, by using a stick to help me balance, I could do so, for less time when balancing on my right leg.

Of course, after several weeks of inactivity, I noticed how hard it was to do at all. That is when I relied on my odd personality to give me a boost:

I pictured my late brother and daddy sitting on the sofa, they were joined by a friend who I’ve also recently lost. I imagined that I was showing off to them, and the power of being unconventional truly paid off. Because when I pictured my friend’s smile, I could hold the position for the quick count of five. Next when I pretended to grin at my brother, it increased to the count of ten. When I repeated it for the third time, recalling as much detail about his face as possible: for my daddy; I eventually managed to hold the pose for a quick count of twenty.

I blocked out all my emotions, instead I simply siphoned-off the support and cheering sounds that I knew they’d give me, if they were still here.

I am incredibly blessed; I have relied on my humour and oddities since I was six. It’s likely that as a child-parent, taking care of my siblings, this aspect of my nature was somehow accentuated.

Interestingly, when we dare to be number one: gloriously odd, yet full of self-belief, then we’re cutting the grass back and making space for new ideas. We see this consistently throughout history: deaf composers, aged entrepreneurs,’ and record-breaking sports people… okay so mine doesn’t illuminate the world, but I’m very sure that I was one of the first people to smother my hair with squashed bananas:

“Mummy why are you putting squashy nanas in your hair.” My then toddler daughter asked.

“Well, they smell nice, and my hair is hungry!” My let’s get a giggle reply.

I was adapting something about homemade hair treatments that I’d read. I was supposed to be using an egg. I didn’t have any in, so bananas it was. About two months later, I discovered that a certain retailer was selling banana shampoo!

Always embrace, and being oddly you. You cannot be anyone else, and when we are mindful about this, then we’re strengthening the foundation of our mental wellbeing.

 

I hope this is helpful.

With SUNNY wishes, Emma x