“Life's too short. I'm not!” - Kristen Chenoweth
Ah yes, it's time and long overdue. It's time a discussion be had regarding humor at the sake of someone's individuality. What I'm discovering is that there is a lot more sensitivity out there then I ever realized which is funny because well, you can't be four, feet, seven inches tall and not have people joke about what has always been obvious....sometimes painfully so and sometimes not. It goes with the territory of being a human.
I learned at a very early age that my height was going to make me stand out. Just like any other biological trait we are born with and can't fix. I learned early that my height would be the brunt of jokes, some out of love, some out of jealousy, some out of cruelty. I learned early that the world could often be cruel but I also learned who loved me. I have witnessed people being teased because of their height, hair, weight, religion and the color of their skin. Why do we do this? The answer, because someone taught us we could. We simply could. I know this doesn't sound like the ultimate answer but think about it. We learn what we learn at an early age and imitate what we learn.
Most of the mistakes made by our most famous, historical figures were made because "they thought they could," and no one would stop them or say anything to them because they were empowered, at least until everything came crashing down around them and they realized that the rest of world saw them as they really were...foolish and insensitive. Some learned from their mistakes. Some didn't. Those that didn't, well, we don't read much about them these days do we? Experience is always the best of teachers. What I've learned is that when people feel the need to state the obvious it's usually because they have no better mind than to do so. They are unoriginal. Some are blatantly bullies and they will always have fun at the expense of others. If we aren't careful we may even resort to the same type of behavior. We learn nothing by hurting someone else. We gain everything by letting them find out themselves that they have lost a great deal by their actions.
Laughing at ourselves with self-deprecating humor is attractive. It shows strength and most often shows confidence. Laughing at ourselves takes the wind out of the sails of those who fail to see our talents, our character, our hearts. Being petite made me vulnerable to a great deal of disheartening realizations but it didn't make me stupid. Typically, when I was down on myself or wished I was born differently, I healed by giving and I healed by showing kindness. These fix the problem every time. Now granted, I didn't learn this overnight and quick frankly, I'm done having to make excuses for other people's behavior but age and acceptance has shown me my way and usually humor is involved.
We also learn with time and experience who our friends are and who means well. We usually see this when a huge difficulty arises. We learn quickly then. It's all right to have friendships that are at multi-levels of the food chain. We know intuitively whether people mean well and when they don't. Those that love us, never leave us. They may not understand us all of the time but they don't leave. When I got married, I grew up a lot. Marriage is a wonderful mirror. My husband may tease me about many things, get frustrated with me about many things but he has never made fun of me by stating the obvious. That's why I married him. He's much more creative than that and so am I.
Have I provided the answers some have been looking for with these words? Probably not but there's always the opportunity to look at the world through a different lens. I won't change the world or history but I can appreciate the little changes when I see them. In closing, a song came out in the late 60's - 70's called "Short People." It was written by Randy Newman. I believe it sums it all up nicely. I was maybe 12 or 13 at the time. Think about that...A teenager, driving to someone's house, maybe shopping, where ever, and hearing a song that is telling you that short people have no reason to live.
"Short people got no reason
Short people got no reason
Short people got no reason
To live
They got little hands
Little eyes
They walk around
Tellin' great big lies
They got little noses
And tiny little teeth
They wear platform shoes
On their nasty little feet
Well, I don't want no short people
Don't want no short people
Don't want no short people
`Round here
Short people are just the same
As you and I
(A fool such as I)
All men are brothers
Until the day they die
(It's a wonderful world)
Short people got nobody
Short people got nobody
Short people got nobody
To love
They got little baby legs
That stand so low
You got to pick em up
Just to say hello
They got little cars
That go beep, beep, beep
They got little voices
Goin' peep, peep, peep
They got grubby little fingers
And dirty little minds
They're gonna get you every time
Well, I don't want no short people
Don't want no short people
Don't want no short people
'Round here"
Laughing at ourselves with self-deprecating humor is attractive. It shows strength and most often shows confidence. Laughing at ourselves takes the wind out of the sails of those who fail to see our talents, our character, our hearts. Being petite made me vulnerable to a great deal of disheartening realizations but it didn't make me stupid. Typically, when I was down on myself or wished I was born differently, I healed by giving and I healed by showing kindness. These fix the problem every time. Now granted, I didn't learn this overnight and quick frankly, I'm done having to make excuses for other people's behavior but age and acceptance has shown me my way and usually humor is involved.
We also learn with time and experience who our friends are and who means well. We usually see this when a huge difficulty arises. We learn quickly then. It's all right to have friendships that are at multi-levels of the food chain. We know intuitively whether people mean well and when they don't. Those that love us, never leave us. They may not understand us all of the time but they don't leave. When I got married, I grew up a lot. Marriage is a wonderful mirror. My husband may tease me about many things, get frustrated with me about many things but he has never made fun of me by stating the obvious. That's why I married him. He's much more creative than that and so am I.
Have I provided the answers some have been looking for with these words? Probably not but there's always the opportunity to look at the world through a different lens. I won't change the world or history but I can appreciate the little changes when I see them. In closing, a song came out in the late 60's - 70's called "Short People." It was written by Randy Newman. I believe it sums it all up nicely. I was maybe 12 or 13 at the time. Think about that...A teenager, driving to someone's house, maybe shopping, where ever, and hearing a song that is telling you that short people have no reason to live.
"Short people got no reason
Short people got no reason
Short people got no reason
To live
They got little hands
Little eyes
They walk around
Tellin' great big lies
They got little noses
And tiny little teeth
They wear platform shoes
On their nasty little feet
Well, I don't want no short people
Don't want no short people
Don't want no short people
`Round here
Short people are just the same
As you and I
(A fool such as I)
All men are brothers
Until the day they die
(It's a wonderful world)
Short people got nobody
Short people got nobody
Short people got nobody
To love
They got little baby legs
That stand so low
You got to pick em up
Just to say hello
They got little cars
That go beep, beep, beep
They got little voices
Goin' peep, peep, peep
They got grubby little fingers
And dirty little minds
They're gonna get you every time
Well, I don't want no short people
Don't want no short people
Don't want no short people
'Round here"
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