MOVING ON YET?

Stereotyping and branding people. That's what we are normally inclined to do. When you make a mistake, people might forgive you. But sometimes, you are branded forever.

Have you ever been branded or stereotyped for something before? I am always branded as the immature, clumsy, screw up in the family. Everytime something broke or got lost, usually it's because of me or it is claimed to be me. I'm also seen as the one who is incapable of serious tasks. I mean, I know I'm not perfect but sometimes, don't you hate the fact that people judge you even before you do something?

At home, I'm not exactly trusted with things. Most of the times, I'm belittled and looked down upon. For example, my sis and my bro always see me as the immature one, who can't seem to be independent. I hate to be perceived that way, although I admit that I might not be as organized and responsible as them. I know some of my friends believe in me, they think that I'm very organized and is capable of doing things. I'm really grateful for that.

But I also have friends that still brand me as disorganized and there is one petty incident that pissed me off the other day. I was already very moody and sad because it was my last day in Liverpool. My flatmates had decided that we should be eating out to enjoy our last day as they really don't want to be eating instant noodles. This last minute notice didn't seem to please that friend of mine. As I was happily approaching him, he scolded me for being a terrible planner who requested for a last minute dinner.

Honestly, I wasn't the one who planned dinner that day but since it was such a disorganized outing, it somehow had to be me who planned it. See the stereotype?

I was still really angry because he somehow ruined a good memory of my last day in Liverpool. Of course, I feel better because deep down, I know really, it wasn't my fault. Plus, if it's too last minute for him, he can always skip the dinner outing with us, right? Of course, being a Leo, I have an enormous ego and I refused to talk to him even after he apologize, I still decide to 'punish' him for another few minutes.

Anyway this is all petty but worth laughing over in future I guess. And this story leads me to Rascal Flatt's song I'm Movin' On, which is about stereotypes.

Imagine being a convict, and not given a chance to redeem yourself. I guess like I say, once you commit a crime, or do something wrong, you are forever seen as the one who would commit the same mistake. That's why some people don't give any chance to these past offenders. It's sad, but we're humans...we're psychologically that way.

The song is about moving on to a new place, starting afresh because in the past, you've been stereotyped and there is no chance of redemption, even though you regret what you've done previously. People don't give you a chance sometimes, and the best way is to proceed and move on.

I've dealt with my ghosts and I've faced all my demons

Finally content with a past I regret

I've found you find strength in your moments of weakness

For once I'm at peace with myself

I've been burdened with blame, trapped in the past for too long

I'm movin' on

I've lived in this place and I know all the faces

Each one is different but they're always the same

They mean me no harm but it's time that I face it

They'll never allow me to change

But I never dreamed home would end up where I don't belong

I'm movin' on

I'm movin' on

At last I can see life has been patiently waiting for me

And I know there's no guarantees, but I'm not alone

There comes a time in everyone's life

When all you can see are the years passing by

And I have made up my mind that those days are gone

I sold what I could and packed what I couldn't

Stopped to fill up on my way out of town

I've loved like I should but lived like I shouldn't

I had to lose everything to find out

Maybe forgiveness will find me somewhere down this road

I'm movin' on

I'm movin' on

I'm movin' on

So I guess if compared to some people, I'm really not in such a bad situation myself. I have family and friends who still love and care for me despite my weaknesses and despite the fact that they somehow categorize me as a screw up.

The song above has really nice lyrics and beautiful relaxing music. I guess the song highlights the fact that life is always incomprehensible and perplexing and I guess sometimes, especially during bad times, the best way to get over things is by moving on and not looking back. Easy to say...hard to do I know.