Sunday 11 January 2015

'Only human'?

'Without imperfection neither you nor I would exist'
Stephen Hawking

I have indeed been to see the film 'The Theory of Everything' this evening and I can safely say with every certainty that it is the most moving and beautifully created film I have seen in a long time. I am rarely transfixed for over two hours by anything, let alone being sat in a small jam-packed full odeon film theatre late on a Saturday evening. But I was captured this evening - whilst watching a film about time, I lost all sense of time and I learnt a little more about an incredible man and his life.

This week I have learnt much more too. I have learnt that I am indeed not invincible and indestructible. I will bend, often in a different direction to the way in which the wind is blowing, and I may very well break if I bend too far. I have had to prioritise my health this week, and I have accepted the reminder that I am not a super-human, I am indeed only human, although I have found out that I do struggle with that phrase - 'only human'. It is something I probably say to my students and clients but when it comes to something like this, I feel it needs to be given a little more thought. 'only human?'.

It is like when my Nan calls and leaves a message on the answerphone. 'Oh hello, it's only me', she says. And I think, 'only me?' You are not only you. You are you, and you need never almost apologise for being 'only' anything. The 'only' is never needed, you need not think of yourself as a shadow of who you think you ought to be, and there are no rules and expectations here from me. There is so much power in who you are that hiding behind the 'only' simply means that you are not grasping hold of the power itself. And it is similar when I say 'only human'. It is not 'only', but it is simply human. We are human and within us is all the greatness and the grit and the flawed imperfections that comes with that. We stand imperfectly, but we stand strong nonetheless.

This week I have told myself that I am human. This week I am appreciating what that really means

4 comments:

  1. Your words bring to mind this famous poem, always worth airing:

    Our Deepest Fear
    By Marianne Williamson

    Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.
    Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.
    It is our light, not our darkness
    That most frightens us.

    We ask ourselves
    Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?
    Actually, who are you not to be?
    You are a child of God.

    Your playing small
    Does not serve the world.
    There's nothing enlightened about shrinking
    So that other people won't feel insecure around you.

    We are all meant to shine,
    As children do.
    We were born to make manifest
    The glory of God that is within us.

    It's not just in some of us;
    It's in everyone.

    And as we let our own light shine,
    We unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.
    As we're liberated from our own fear,
    Our presence automatically liberates others.

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    Replies
    1. One of my favourites - it is probably even posted somewhere in here!
      Also reminds me of these words by Max Ehrmann:

      'Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself.You are a child of the universe no less than the trees and the stars;you have a right to be here'

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  2. I love this post - something we both need to remember more I think!

    I also really want to see this film but I might just buy the film when it comes out x

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    Replies
    1. Certainly a message I am remembering more..
      The film is really worth watching, I found it very moving. I would pay to watch it again :)

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