‘August 13 is designated International Lefthander’s Day by Lefthanders International. It was first observed on the 13 of August, 1976 … Lefthanders comprise from 7 to 10 percent of the world’s population.’ [Wikipedia]
Welcome to ‘Lefthander's Day'. It is scary to realize that only a few hundred years ago, I would have run the risk of being burned at the stake for witchcraft.
I live in a
world where I preferred things that squeeze out or pop off. I hate containers
where you have to turn that wheelie-thing to get the contents out! They so seldom,
if ever, include an arrow showing you which way to turn that wheel … and so I never
know if I’m ’right’ or wrong’. I live in a world where I consistently put the
cards on the ‘wrong’ side when playing bridge and have even been known the deal
the cards around the table the ‘wrong’ way!
One of the blessings of the digital
age and computers is that I no longer have an indelible ink stain on the side
of my left hand. I was at a gathering not too long ago where everyone [or so it
seemed!!] were talking about their expensive fountain pens and how wonderful
they were! Obviously none of them were lefties and thus they didn't have to
deal with smeared writing and/or the continuous use of a blotter.
I learned
at an early age to cut with right-handed scissors. That was all that was available
to me almost 70 years ago. But now my kitchen drawer has left-handed knives’,
scissors, and even had a ruler. I would love a left-handed corkscrew and can
opener… maybe someday! ‘Damned infernal gizmo. My kingdom for a
left-handed can opener.’ Burns, The Simpsons
Throughout
the ages, left-handed people have been seen as different. Our word sinister
comes from the Latin word sinister meaning ‘left-handed. Christianity is biased
towards the right-handed. By one count the bible contains over 100 favorable references to right-hand and 25 unfavorable references to the left-hand. e.g. ‘A wise man’s heart is at his right hand;
but a fool’s heart is at his left.’ Ecclesiastes 10:2
So my life
has been spent, on a daily basis, being out-of-step with those around me. In a
very real way I have always marched to the tune of a different drummer, but it
was the only drummer that I could hear! Perhaps this has made it easier for me
these last few years to leave the traditional church behind. After all I am
used to being ‘different’. Uncertainty and doubt have always been part of my
life and no matter how hard I have tried to do things ‘right’, I have never
quite succeeded. This may explain why I
find it easier, indeed almost a relief, to live with no ‘right’ answers.
When you find yourself 'out of step' with those around you, how do you deal with it?
When you find yourself 'out of step' with those around you, how do you deal with it?
I remember you, myself and Bev Kay as being lefties in High School, plus others. Once, I wrote an essay .... Semper Sinister, praising the gifted ness of lefthandedness, and, at risk of sounding prideful, pointing out the tendency of lefties as being of high IQ. Think it was Mrs Gillis who was the teacher allowing me to continue with my left hand in class.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the blog