Don’t judge a book by its cover

 


I do actually, have a few things to say about books ...

 

 

But for that, you will have to wait for a few weeks! 

 

This episode is fairly short. Is that a sigh of relief I hear? All I would say is “don’t count your chickens”! By way of compensation, next time you will get a longer one!

 

Ok – on we go:

 

The above picture prompts me to mention again, something to which I have previously alluded.

 

Please don’t forget that appearances can be deceptive.


In Stairway to Heaven (Led Zeppelin 1971), apparently “there’s a lady who’s sure, all that glitters is gold”. Well I can tell you for nothing, that she’s wrong!  All that glitters is not gold. One might look fine from the outside, but that doesn’t mean that everything is alright below the surface. Disabilities can be well hidden.

 

This is often the case with mental health issues. In particular, emotional difficulties, such as my own are very often disguised. I might look cheerful and settled, when deep inside things are not right at all!

 

My issues aren’t helped by seeking to “put a brave face on things”. Further, in some respects, I might appear to be less disabled than I actually am, by my failure to take steps, which would be assistive to me – and if I had taken those steps, my issues would have been more readily apparent. This is not a deliberate concealment of disability. It is more a case of a lack of insight into what I ought to be doing, in order to help myself. I know that this is a problem – I’m working on it!

 

At times, turbulence buried deep inside, can build to such pressure as to cause an eruption – with an excessive outpouring of grief, anger or both. 

 

On reflection, and in view of the distress (of myself and others) caused by a massive release of pent-up emotion, it seems a good idea to articulate emotion on a more frequent basis - and in a calm and reasonable manner. 

 

Further, if my problems are hidden away, then it goes without saying that through nobody’s fault but my own, I am less likely to receive the care (in a wide sense) that is supportive of my emotional wellbeing.

 

I am coming to believe that a little more honesty about how I am feeling is in my best interests (and perhaps those of others). Similarly, when I feel in need of support with emotional difficulties, I should (within reason!) ask for it. Needless to say, this involves recognition and acceptance of a need for support.  I haven’t got it quite right yet but think that a key to this is regular reflection; and the making of a conscious effort to cast aside self-denial.

 

Notwithstanding a feeling that I might be putting others to trouble, I have found in reality, that when I seek help, it is readily available from professionals, family and friends, alike. All have my sincere gratitude. In any event, I guess that I can reduce any burden, by seeking to ensure that, dependent on the nature of my difficulty, I ask the right person. Further (while erring on the side of caution) I shouldn’t ask for support, when I don’t actually need it.


In doing all of this, my hidden disability will become more readily apparent and I will be much more likely to receive the support that I need. 

 


 

Popular posts from this blog

Image
  This one isn’t so much about me – more, my youngest son, and his recent triumphs.   That is not to say that my other children have underachieved.  Quite the opposite . They have provided me with (and continue to do so) very many sources of pride.   Given that the following events are very recent though, in this post , the spotlight falls on their younger brother...   First, his A level results:   Perhaps needless to say, he didn’t achieve  an  A grade.   He got  three  of them, and has secured a place at Cambridge, to read English.   In the past, I’ve told him that, rather than striving for academic excellence, it is better to be a star footballer and fearsome fighter. As you can tell, he didn’t heed this advice!   Jokes apart , I am immensely pleased for him .   And, if that isn’t enough...   Last month, the theatre company , that he founded presented a play at Edinburgh Fringe   I understand that acceptance by the festival is, something of an honour.   But:    Not only did he act t
Read more
Image
“That's how grateful we are, that's how grateful we are That's how grateful we are, that's how grateful we are That's how grateful we are, that's how grateful we are That's how grateful we are, that's how grateful we are”   (Chumbawamba 1990)   I have previously mentioned, my involvement with  the South Manchester and Stockport branch of Headway – the brain injury association.    Our branch is charitable and non-trading. Accordingly, we can only spend for the benefit of our members, money that we can raise from charitable sources. Perhaps needless to say, we are on the  constant lookout for charitable funds.    An obvious source of these, are  donations.   Saturday 7 October, saw the culmination of a fundraising exercise, that generated donations, amounting to  more than £800!   A team of three senior corporate lawyers (old colleagues of mine), competed in my local parkrun, and obtained sponsorship for their efforts.   They gave up their normal Saturday
Read more
Image
  The “star” of this post is my eldest son. As you might recall, he is an actor.   This Christmas, I had the delight of seeing him in the Royal Exchange Theatre’s Christmas presentation.   It was a theatrical adaptation of the Noel Coward film, “Brief Encounter”.   Despite its immense acclaim, I have never seen the film, nor had any burning desire, to do so.   I did, though, thoroughly enjoy the play, and might check out the movie, accordingly.   First, I really took to the story, with its bittersweet connotations.   For those who know the story, here’s a question for you...   Is it a happy or sad ending?   I accept that the course of action taken, was the “right” thing to do. Nevertheless, I tend towards “sad”.   Perhaps I am, intrinsically immoral?!   More important than the story though, was the immensely high standard of the acting  - and that includes my son!   As a Christmas production, an element of levity was introduced, through the inclusion of live music, songs, and dance.  
Read more