When I was in high school, it was not unusual for me to wear dress pants, a dress or even a skirt suit. I went to a doctor’s appointment and the doctor asked if I had a presentation that school day. I didn’t and didn’t realize why he asked. He said it was because I was dressed up.
About 6 years ago, I did something that I had been contemplating for a long time-I go a tattoo. It was of the word “Believe” with a small flower. I have gotten another one since then and am planning a third.
So from being dressed up to tattoos! I still wear dresses most of the time too! I guess part of me wants people to scratch their heads and question the combination of tattoo and dress. Why? Because it will make it harder for them to understand me at first appearance! Any potential judgments will be hard to reconcile between the two! Because in reality what I “wear” on the outside is just one little piece of what is on my inside!
I try really hard to not judge others by what they look like. There are very intelligent people who have become homeless. There are very dressed up people who are emotionally fragile. The person sitting next to you on the commute to work might be suicidal. The person in front of you at the grocery store, using food stamps, may have just lost a spouse.
As May is Mental Health Month, I challenge you to see beyond appearances of others. We don’t know their story. We don’t know what they are going through or what they have survived. See them. Not just how they look!
May your path be filled with acceptance!