Awkward

Every one of us goes through one stage or more of awkwardness. We may not like it, we may not notice it, or we may care too much what others think while we’re going through that stage. However, none of us can get out of going through an awkward phase or two. Looks or movements, all parts of these stages can be devastating to us if we allow them to be. They are probably most devastating to us when we are younger since it seems the awkwardness will never end and every minute spent looking or moving awkwardly is an embarrassment to us, even though others may not perceive our embarrassment or even our awkwardness. While one can not move if one is feeling especially awkward moving in what should be natural and easy ways, it is more difficult to hide the excessive largeness of teeth, ill-fitting glasses, hair growing in or out in strange ways. With a bit of pride and self-confidence we can live and grow through these experiences and perhaps learn more empathy and sympathy for others. For once we’ve experienced these thoughts and feelings of inadequacy we may more easily detect others going through some of the same things. Once we’ve escaped from an awkward phase shouldn’t we be more sympathetic to others suffering through their own?