Good To See You Smiling
Today I had a message that said, “Good to see you smiling”. Whilst this wasn’t in any way intended to upset or offend me (and it did not), this message did leave me thinking… um… I always smile! What is that supposed to mean?
During my life I have had some rough times and I still do. I’m unwell, fighting to get the treatment for my Adrenal Insufficiency and I’m currently preparing for a major life changing operation. These experiences are stressful and anxiety provoking and I do share both the good and negative about my health online.
With that said, I don’t share my poor health to complain and whinge or to say “Look at me I’m sick”. I am sharing my journey to raise awareness, to document my life and help others going through similar things. Each day I receive emails from people all over the world who tell me they have similar experiences. They connect with me and some ask to talk to me, others thank me for inspiring them and others say my positivity gives them the hope and strength to get through their illnesses. I think this is wonderful and it’s so great to be able to have such a ripple effect from one small blog.
So whilst many people appreciate and enjoy my writing and my experiences, some however sadly and wrongly see me as someone complaining about being sick. I get messages like, “you need to stop being so black about your illness” or “why focus on being sick, look for the good in life” or like this week, “great to see you smiling”.
The one thing I realise from this is that these people who comment in this way, they really don’t know me at all. I am not depressed or down and out. I’m happy. Yes I have difficulties and I write about it but I have blessings and wonderful experiences and I write about that too. My life is blessed. I have a beautiful child and a loving husband and I’m so so happy in that respect. We also have Yoda and Casper our beloved Bichon dogs and they bring me and my family so much joy.
So to the people who keep telling me to “pick myself up” and stop being black, down and out, might I suggest before you give me advice to actually get to know me first!
And to the lovely person who said, “nice to see you smiling”, let me say thanks, I always smile, everyday and if you were more present in my life you’d probably know this.
For so long, for many years, many people have misjudged me because they do not know me. It really used to bother me, when I collapsed as a teenager, the rumour was I was pregnant or on drugs. When I left my first husband due to abuse, I supposedly ran off with another man. When I gained weight, it was because I’m lazy and eat KFC for every meal.
You know what! I no longer give a dam about such rumours. Those who really know me will know the reality and the truth about me and know that none of the above is correct. I am who I am and I’m an amazing person and I only care what my true friends and close family members think of me.
I smile everyday and I’ll keep on smiling and being the wonderful person I am and I will not pay any attention to the superficial nonsense I sometimes here about myself which is either untrue or a load of cow poo!
Angela x
I think they meant it in an innocent way…..I think with everything you have had to deal with many people would crumble. I think I would, I would find it hard to smile but you do and that makes you such a strong, inspirational & wonderful person xxx
Yes I’m sure they did mean it innocently, Thanks for your kind words Kim.
I would assume the person who sent you that had good intentions, but I’d be curious to know what exactly they were thinking. I think that I would have been offended as well
Yes. I’m not upset or anything, it just got me thinking and I like to write my thought here on the blog. 🙂
Good for you hun, even I who does not know you outside of the bloggingsphere knows that you are positive and that radiates through every sentence that you write. I had the same thing when I wrote about my personal experiences and people would say to stop dwelling on the past when in reality I was sharing it to help those who had been through the same but didn’t have the courage to speak up.
yes, funny how some people don’t understand what awareness is and assume people are just whinging or dwelling on the past.
I’m sure that person was trying to be nice, but I hate those sort of comments. It’s like when you walk past a stranger and they say ‘smile’ because you’re walking down the street without a cheshire cat grin. What a ridiculous thing to say, they don’t know you or your story. Just ignore the comments hun, xx
Thanks. I totally agree. Sometimes when I’m extra tired and more ill, I can just blurt out how i feel even more as well. I was having one of those days yesterday! Angela
Well said, Angela! You are positive and inspiring! Thanks for sharing with #abitofeverything
Thanks 🙂 Glad you like the post! 🙂 Angela