Some People Like Turtles…

Once, when I was educating young school children about being the same versus being different, one student summed it up like this; ‘Some people like turtles, others don’t and that’s ok’. Like many things children say, it’s simple, but also a little profound. Not everybody likes turtles. We don’t think everyone necessarily needs to.

Yet sometimes, when it comes to ourselves, our standards can be higher. We want everybody to like us. Universal acceptance is what we’re striving for. This could mean we try and people please, mask, fit in or try to change ourselves in a bid to gain that acceptance from everyone. But when we do that, we’re trying to be someone we’re not.

Allowing ourselves to be who we are is one of the bravest things we can do. The right people will accept you as you are. And, the really special ones may not just accept it and say ‘you can stay’, but go a step further. They might smile at the things you’ve been led to believe may be ‘wrong’. Or, they might find the quirks others made you feel lesser about genuinely endearing. There’s a beautiful little moment in Heartbreak High where one character asks their close friend about a trait they’re self conscious about. The friend’s response is not just acceptance, but an affirmation of belonging. Like that friend, your people won’t see those qualities as things to fix. They might appreciate them or see the beauty in them instead.

Maybe that’s part of the learning that student took away. We don’t have to be liked by every single person. Liking turtles is ok. So is being different. The real goal isn’t necessarily earning everyone’s approval, but finding the people who don’t just make room for who we are, but who truly appreciate you. Because those people are the ones who can help us see that just maybe, the qualities some call ‘quirks‘ are actually treasures worthy of celebration.

Further Resources:

• Example of acceptance & belonging in Heartbreak High