Favorite blog
If you have been blogging for a while, what is your favorite sentence or blogpost that you have ever written? Is it diabetes related or just life related?
Pants on Backwards
My favorite Blog was written on TUDiabetes on November 13, 2013. It is titled Pants On Backwards. The story is about a little guy I met one day and his mother or caregiver. The little guy had his pants on backwards which elicited comments (mostly from the adult caretaker) about his reluctance to put his pants on the correct way.
The adult proclaimed loudly about this pants issue. She said that no matter how many times people complained to and about the direction of the pants, the little guy refused to put them on correctly. It seemed like a very big issue, mostly for the adult. The child seemed to like the attention.
I drew a good deal of inspiration from the young man. I try (not so well most days) to allow myself to wear my pants backwards. Where do I try this? Well let’s start with doctors. At last count I see 14 doctors, therapists, nurse practitioners, and CDE’s. Does that sound like a lot? Well it is. It is too many really, but I have yet to cut any out. When you see that many doctors you have a choice. Either try to obey every one of of their directions or make your own path.
Authority
I am sure sometimes the doctors complain, they are unhappy with my choices, or worse yet, they find me suborn and say I do not listen. They are correct. I try to do what they tell me, but I have a life to lead. Just like that little boy, I have become prone to putting my pants on backwards occasionally.
The same is true in my life. Sometimes my sons judge my choices as I used to judge theirs when they were little. They think, why in the world won’t he, or why does he do something. Funny how that works. Today as responsible loving parents, they want to remind me to never put my pants on backwards. Yet I do. Much like the woman in the doctor’s office I am sure they tell others of my unwise choices. Yet I persist in putting my pants on backwards. You see for 45 years I put my pants on the right way, and frankly doing so has made me tired of fitting in. Now I want to put my pants on the way I want to put them on sometimes.
I do not mean to suggest that we should do this all the time. I noticed in the lobby that day in 2013 that the young boy had his shirt on correctly. Why would you place your pants on backwards and your shirt on correctly? The answer is obvious, putting the shirt on backwards would be difficult and restricting. The little guy was going for different not discomfort.
Rules
Most rules are made for a good reason. We should obey them. The consequences of ignoring them are just not worth the effort of not obeying them. But as I reflect back on that little guy in the doctor’s office, I am reminded that following all rules is also not being true to ourselves. Because sometimes, just sometimes mind you it does our heart good to put our pants on backwards. Sometimes we must be ourselves.
My wish for the reader today, is that you learn when and how to put your pants on backwards. I am still learning that trick, but I draw inspiration from my November 2013 encounter with that little guy in the doctor’s office I proudly put my pants on backwards sometimes. Trust me even if at first it seems foreign, it will feel good with practice. We need to be true to ourselves and occasionally put our pants on backwards.
Other Favorite Blogs or Inspiration
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Brilliant! Living life to your own tune is something that I have tried to instil in my children. Life is too short to be a sheep…or wear your pants the right way every day 🙂
Thank you for the kind comment Barb. Living life inside the lines all the time is boring. I admire the little guy for his awesome view of the world, even at 3 – 4 years old.
LOL!! I love it!! It reminds me when people tell me you’re not normal jokingly. I reply normal is boring anyway:) A different approach doesn’t make it wrong:)
Ahh Jen I love that. Yes normal is way too boring. Instead I got up today and put my pants on backwards just for fun. Unfortunately, it did not feel so good. Ouch that hurts, well it seemed like a great idea at 6 AM sort of.
I think that most of us who live somewhat successfully with diabetes are used to taking control of things and that usually means putting our pants on backwards. Great image and thanks.
Laddie, I do as well. Those few minutes I spent observing that little guy were very meaningful. His caregiver was not giving him credit for the great idea he had. You know a little guy with so much moxie is bound to be very successful later in his life. I suppose it was so meaningful to me because it was the one thing I always wanted to instill in my sons. I see it in them as adults and I love it about each of them.