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The Agony of being a Southpaw

I am 20 years old, and without a doubt, the question I have been asked most often in my life is "Are You A Lefty?" It is amusing to me that people who have been blessed with vision to actually see me writing with my left hand still manage to ask this question with the same surprised look on their faces. Every time. Then come the ludicrous reactions like "Oh my God that is so awesome" and "Does it mean you're special" and even "Are you an Alien?"

Let me get this straight. First, I am definitely not an alien. I was born a lefty - on this very planet - mind you. I'm simply a part of the 10% minority of people who use the "other side of their brain" to think and the other "other side of their body" to carry out activities. Am I special? No idea. Do I feel special? Absolutely! It does make one feel special to be a member of the southpaw family, to possess the ability of doing something the majority can't do.

That being said, it can be quite a strenuous task to be a lefty, believe me. Be it using right handed scissors and all sorts of tools with your left hand. Or having to write on a notebook with that pen ink ALWAYS staining your hand. Or trying to fit into those desks clearly made for right handed people. Each of these experiences is yet another reminder of the unfortunate fact that the world isn't quite made for us.

Busting prevalent myths is the interesting part. No, we do not have a shorter life expectancy, nor do we get more affected by fear. And no matter how much I'd like to believe it, we are not more intelligent than right handers. Left handedness does not attribute to intelligence, for all I know. However, other factors might (who knows!)

Come to name a few popular lefties, US President Obama is one, so is Bill Clinton, so is George H. W. Bush. Some of the most celebrated artists and musicians were southpaws. Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Jimi Hendrix, Paul McCartney, Kurt Cobain, to name a few. Actors and personalities like Oprah Winfrey, Tom Cruise, Angelina Jolie, Julia Roberts, Nicole Kidman, Robert DeNiro and the Indian Superstar Amitabh Bachchan, are all part of this minority. Not so agonizing now, is it?

P.S. Wanna celebrate being a lefty? The International Left Handers' Day is celebrated on August 13 every year, internationally. (Hurrah!)


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