Life has a way of teaching us profound lessons through the simplest, and sometimes the most perplexing, interactions. Recently, I found myself in a conversation with someone I once considered a friend. This interaction, while disturbing on many levels, brought forth several truths that I believe are worth sharing.
Let’s paint the picture: this person, let’s call them Alex, had just received a serious diagnosis of a blood clot and was prescribed blood thinners. Naturally, this is a situation that demands careful attention to health and lifestyle choices. However, while waiting for their prescription to be filled, Alex decided to indulge in a meal of fried chicken and fries. Now, I don’t know about you, but to me, that seemed like a less-than-optimal decision given the circumstances.
Being the caring person that I am, and perhaps seeing qualities in Alex that they didn’t see in themselves, I gently expressed my concern. I told them, quite directly, that I didn’t think they were taking care of themselves properly. To my surprise, this comment was met with a defensive and perplexing accusation: I was being disrespectful. How was caring for their health disrespectful? That was the question that boggled my mind.
In most cases, miscommunication can lead to feelings of disrespect, even when that’s not the intention. So, I apologized for how my words made Alex feel but stood firm in my stance. You see, my concern was genuine. A blood clot is a serious matter, and lifestyle choices play a crucial role in health outcomes. Eating fried chicken might not be a death sentence, but consistent poor dietary choices certainly don’t help.
Reflecting on this, it became clear to me that Alex’s defensiveness was a manifestation of something deeper, perhaps cognitive dissonance or an aversion to being challenged, especially by someone they might have expected to remain silent. Whatever the root cause, it underscored a vital lesson: we need to be mindful of the people we surround ourselves with and the values they uphold.
When it comes to our wellbeing, both physical and mental, we must be unwavering in our truth. This means calling out what is wrong and standing by what is right, even if it ruffles a few feathers. As the creator of Soulful Colour, my mission is to inspire and empower through vibrant affirmation colouring books that promote mental wellness, self-expression, mindfulness, and diversity. The heart of this mission lies in truth acknowledging it, embracing it, and living it.
Our interactions, no matter how minor they may seem, often reveal deeper truths about our values and those of the people around us. This experience with Alex reminded me that while we can see good qualities in others, it is ultimately up to them to recognize and act upon those qualities. We cannot care for someone more than they care for themselves. And when their actions are detrimental to their wellbeing, sometimes the best thing we can do is step back.
In a world filled with noise and conflicting messages, there is a divine knowing of what is right versus wrong and truth versus lies. This divine truth guides us, if we choose to listen. It’s the same truth that fuels Soulful Colour’s mission to foster mental wellness and celebrate diversity. By trusting this divine knowing, we empower ourselves and others to live authentically and healthily.
So, let’s be unwavering in our pursuit of truth and wellbeing. Let’s trust our instincts and stand firm in our convictions. After all, in the end, it’s the divine truth that will always light our path.