This little frog sits in the garden where I’ve been taking care of Sophie the past couple of days, and each time I look at it, I smile. The frog looks so robust and sturdy. And, the crown looks almost like a court jester’s head dress. The two seem a strange pair, yet somehow, I am happier when I come upon it in the garden.
I was one of those kids that wore outfits that really didn’t “go together”, and I remember feeling awkward because of it. It was not uncommon for me to get teased about my outfit. I felt like I wanted to “fit in”, but I didn’t really know how. This struggle kept me from feeling peaceful for a long time. Today, I know that my desire to “fit in” and look like everyone else was because I felt self conscious and awkward.
Because of how I felt, I made it a point to make other kids feel included. I didn’t want them to struggle the way that I had.
Over the years, I have had many different looks – all very much my own, and I love the feeling of creating something that is uniquely me.
Today I reflected on how easy it is to come from a place of ego, and to judge others simply because of how they look or the clothes they wear. And I thought about the fact that people are not their appearance.
Who is someone you have judged by how they looked, and how can you reach out to them? How would it benefit you to see past the outer shell and connect with that person? And what would the impact be on them? I think its worth a try, don’t you?
I had a wonderful experience last year of looking past the “surface” of a lady I know from John’s school. It was a good feeling!
I love the frog, of course, with John being my frog baby.
There is so much more than meets the eye! Frog baby?