What if you cared less about what others thought?

Every few days I have the same mini-epiphany.

People are often held captive by their thoughts about other people.

Like earlier today, I was standing in a queue to buy bacon and eggs. The person in front of me was being particularly British.

(I’m back in England for a few days).

They were being extra pleasant.

Profusely apologising for getting in the way of someone trying to reach the Crunchy Nut Cornflakes before profusely thanking the cashier for scanning their groceries.

Human pleasantries.

Often forced.

But would this person go home and act the same way with their ailing mother?

I doubt it.

Yes, it’s good to be courteous when around strangers.

But we can steer it too far, until we become someone we no longer recognise.

A walking mask.

The real you a fading husk.

Why?

Because most of us operate on one very compelling belief. It’s a belief that circles in our heads like a lost moth.

Round and round and round.