What if you've been doing it all wrong?

Recently, I’ve been having this sneaking suspicion that my left arm is stronger than my right.

Which is weird.

Because I think I’m right-handed.

This morning I tested my hunch at the gym, and yes, it was clear. My left hand is at least 20% stronger than my right.

I searched for why this might be the case, and the most likely answer is clear.

I’m actually, more than likely, left-handed.

But at some point, probably around grade one, a teacher, a friend, or my mum told me that writing with my left hand was silly and that writing with my right hand was better (90% of the world apparently believes they are right-handed).

Society told me and taught me to write a certain way. I unlearned what was natural (you’re not left-handed, silly) and learned what was normal (right-hand, that’s better).

I saw something similar with my son Atlas. When he was two he was convinced he could see ‘bees’ flying around the house and would look over our shoulders and point them out to us. We couldn’t see what he was seeing, so we told him it wasn't true.

I wonder what else I’ve unlearned because society told me it was silly. What have I just gone along with because it's the ‘way things are’?

And I think this funny little reckoning goes right to the heart of this idea of ‘living deliberately’.

If I don’t choose to make deliberate decisions about my life, there are plenty of others who will decide for me how I should spend my one precious life, the house I live in, the car I drive, what success looks like, and even the hand I write with.

Speaking of which, I’ll give it a go this week. Left-handed Aaron. Wish me luck.