BEYOND THE PHYSICAL

 BEYOND THE PHYSICAL

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I was busy cleaning, one morning and I had my back turned towards the entrance. Someone came along and greeted “ekaro ma” (“good morning ma”). He saw only my back view. I was about to answer him, but as I turned to face him to do so; he saw my face and his countenance changed and he said “hmmn, good morning”. I smiled and asked him why he changed to English Language immediately he saw my face. He told me that I don't look like someone that understands Yoruba. I smiled and answered him, “Mo gbo Yoruba daada” (I'm quite fluent in speaking the Yoruba Language). 

     This scenario above happens a lot in our everyday life. People tend to conclude things about you after taking just one look at you. Sometimes, these conclusions are positive, sometimes they are negative. 

They look at you and decide: ‘he is a banker’, ‘she is a flirt’ ‘he is wicked’, ‘she doesn't know how to cook’, ‘she is lazy’ and the list goes on. Just one look at you and they decide what your life is all about and who you are. They judge you without getting to know you. The truth is; YOU CAN'T CORRECTLY DEDUCE WHAT PEOPLE CAN DO THROUGH THEIR FACE, THE WAY THEY DRESS AND OTHER PHYSICAL ATTRIBUTES. 

     Sometimes, I wonder: ‘Why can't people just stop judging a book by its cover’? 

I guess it's part of the average Human's nature. 

     Personally, I make a conscious effort not to jump to conclusions about people. Take note of the words ‘CONSCIOUS EFFORT’ because It takes a conscious effort to realise that THE ATTITUDE, TEMPERAMENT AND PERSONALITY OF PEOPLE IS SKIN-DEEP. 

     The interesting thing is that if you want to judge me by my looks: you will get a lot of things wrong just like the person I talked about did. I believe that applies to a lot of other people too. So, try to always give people the benefit of the doubt. Find out matters carefully before you conclude, don't be too quick to guess. BEING IMPATIENT AND JUMPING TO CONCLUSIONS CAN CAUSE PROBLEMS. 

     So many people miss opportunities because they judge the appearance of their helpers and conclude that they can't be of help. Sometimes, opportunities come disguised as problems and we miss them if we are too quick to judge. IT PAYS TO BE OPEN IN YOUR ASSESSMENT, DON'T JUMP TO CONCLUSIONS AND TRY NOT TO BE JUDGMENTAL. 

#lifeskillscounsel 

    May God help us all.

Written by:

Elizabeth Oduwaiye

Life Skills/ Youth Counsellor