Saturday, November 24, 2012

"You're on a Journey."

Throughout my two preparatory years in pre-IB, as well as the now almost three months of the real thing, there is one phrase that various people are repeating to me in increasing frequency.

"You're on a journey." 

Four simple words that are wielded like a sword against me in various different contexts, immediately rendering their deliverer a sense of wisdom, while at the same time rendering me incapable of delivering any sort of intelligent response.

Not to mention add to the seed of internal bubbling rage that was first planted by the evil soul that the audacity to call me Graceface Braceface (despite me not even having the dreaded apparatus fitted on my teeth. But that's a story for another time.)

If you're wondering why I'm making such a big deal out of things, it's because I have pride. And my pride is a dangerously sensitive creature. Who doesn't respond very well to any sort of failure, especially if accompanied by a condescending voice telling me that everything will be "okay", and to stop fretting so much, because I'm "on a journey".

Those words are like some sort of trigger that shuts down the rational side of my brain, and leaves my pride in charge. Who won't hesitate to deliver its trademark retort:


And then things aren't so pretty afterwards.

The thing is, I get it, alright? I really do. But no matter how correct those four words may be in the long run, in the short term, they hurt like a hailstorm of sticks and stones. And flame throwers.

I truly appreciate good advice. But coupled with those four trigger words, it can instantly reduce me to a rock: unresponsive and painful to get through to.

Whether or not this applies solely to me, I don't know.

Still, it's something to consider the next time you try to give someone advice.

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